Plaintiffs originally asserted additional claims for ... · 1 Plaintiffs originally asserted...

Plaintiffs originally asserted additional claims for assault and battery, false arrest, abuse of1

process, intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation. Those claims were dismissedpursuant to a motion to dismiss filed by the government. [Docs. 45, 57]

Counsel were additionally instructed to provide the Court with quantum studies regarding2

emotional/mental damages by June 26, 2011; a note of evidence, also, was allowed as to motion byplaintiff on a discovery matter and motion for sanctions and cost.

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

LAFAYETTE DIVISION

HUBERT P. VIDRINE, JR., ET AL. CASE NO. 6:07-CV-1204

VERSUS JUDGE DOHERTY

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MAGISTRATE JUDGE KAY

TRIAL RULING

I. Background

This matter involves claims brought by plaintiffs, Hubert P. Vidrine, Jr. and Tammy J.

Vidrine, against defendant, the United States of America, pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act

(“FTCA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2671, et seq. Hubert Vidrine asserts a claim for malicious prosecution; his

wife, Tammy Vidrine, asserts a claim for loss of consortium. The claims are based on the actions1

of investigative and law enforcement officers of the U.S. Government, acting in the scope of their

employment. Trial of this matter was to the bench, commencing on June 7, 2011, and closing

arguments being heard on June 24, 2011. 2

Plaintiffs claim on September 5, 1996, agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the

Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Marshal Service, the United States Coast

Guard, and the Louisiana State Police executed a search warrant on Canal Refining Company, a

Case 6:07-cv-01204-RFD-KK Document 287 Filed 09/30/11 of 142 PageID #: 9928

A detailed time line of the pertinent events in this matter is contained in the appendix.3

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facility for which Mr. Vidrine acted as manager. On December 14, 1999 (more than three years after

execution of the search warrant), Mr. Vidrine was indicted on one count of knowingly storing

hazardous waste on the property of Canal Refining Company, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2).

Shortly thereafter, Mr. Vidrine was taken into custody and subsequently released on bond. On

September 17, 2003 (almost four years after the return on the indictment, more than seven years after

the execution of the search warrant, and one month before the criminal trial was scheduled to

commence), the Government filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss the indictment against Mr.

Vidrine, stating, “Developments in this matter since the Indictment have revealed facts and

circumstances which, in the interest of justice, warrant dismissal of the Indictment.” See U.S. v.

Trinity Marine Baton Rouge, Inc., et al, W.D.La. (J. Melançon), Docket No. 6:99-cr-60053,

Document No. 157. On September 18, 2003, the motion was granted by Judge Tucker Melançon,

who presided over the criminal proceedings. 3

On July 23, 2007, plaintiffs filed this civil suit in this Court, based upon the foregoing events;

extensive and acrimonious discovery ensued before the magistrate judge, a vigorous motion practice

was pursued, and, ultimately, almost three weeks of testimony and over 15,000 documents were

referenced or presented to the Court in one manner or another. Having heard all testimony,

arguments of counsel, and reviewed all evidence, this Court now makes the following Ruling.

II. Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction in this matter is premised upon 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)(1) (“United States as

defendant”), which provides in pertinent part:

“[T] district courts . . . shall have exclusive jurisdiction of civil actions on claimsagainst the United States, for money damages, . . . for injury or loss of property, or


3

personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of anyemployee of the Government while acting within the scope of his office oremployment, under circumstances where the United States, if a private person, wouldbe liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act oromission occurred.”

III. Stipulations and Admissions

Plaintiffs admit their damages cannot exceed $5,180,929.18, as that is the amount of damages

asserted in their administrative claim. [See e.g. Doc. 244, p. 5] Additionally, at the trial of this

matter, plaintiffs affirmed in open court that their claims for damages are limited to only those

damages incurred between the years 2000 and 2010; thus, plaintiffs are not pursuing any claim for

damages before 2000 or after 2010. Prior to and during trial, plaintiffs affirmed that although there

likely existed probable cause to investigate whether or not a criminal offense had occurred or was

occurring at Canal Refinery, at no time did there exist probable cause to indict Hubert Vidrine.

Additionally, at the pretrial conference, all counsel stipulated the first three of the necessary six

elements of a malicious prosecution claim, as identified by the applicable Louisiana law, had been

met in this matter. See Sec. IV(B) (“Malicious Prosecution), infra. At trial, the Plaintiffs stipulated

Plaintiffs incurred $127,000.00 in attorney fees and costs in the defense of the underlying criminal

prosecution. Finally, the parties stipulated to the following facts prior to trial [Doc. 244, p.16]:

A. Plaintiffs are husband and wife. They live at 1375 Hwy 178, Opelousas, Louisiana,70570, and thus are residents of the Western District of Louisiana.

B. The claims herein are brought against the United States pursuant to the Federal TortClaims Act (28 U.S.C. §2671, et seq.) and 28 U.S.C. §§1346(b)(1), for moneydamages.

C. Agents Phillips and Barnhill, and their immediate supervisors during the course ofthe events at issue in this case, were federal officers who investigated and assisted inthe prosecution of Hubert Vidrine were employees of the United States Government,and the conduct at issue occurred while they were acting within the scope of theiroffices and employment.


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D. Venue is proper in that all, or a substantial part of the acts and omissions forming thebasis of these claims occurred in the Western District of Louisiana, and arose fromthe filing and prosecution of charges of criminal conduct against Mr. Vidrine by theUnited States Government and its agents, in United States v. Trinity Marine BatonRouge,Inc., et al, Western District of Louisiana Case No. CR 99-60053.

E. Plaintiffs fully complied with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. §2675 of the Federal TortClaims Act, as a precondition to filing these claims.

F. This suit was timely filed, in that Plaintiffs timely served notice of their claims onboth The Environmental Protection Agency and The United States Department ofJustice on or about September 15, 2005.

G. The U.S. Department of Justice assumed responsibility for processing the claim onbehalf of both agencies.

H. By July 23, 2007, when the Government had still not completed its review of theclaim, Plaintiffs proceeded to file their Original Complaint in this Court.

I. On August 13, 2007, after being served a copy of the Complaint, the government sentPlaintiffs a letter denying Plaintiffs’ claims.

J. This case is brought under the Federal Tort Claim Act for malicious prosecution byagents of the federal government. That claim for relief is governed by the underlyingState Law of the State of Louisiana, where the alleged malicious prosecution tookplace.

K. The EPA-CID and FBI agents whose conduct is at issue, including Ivan Vikin, KeithPhillips, and Ekko Barnhill were at all relevant times “investigative or lawenforcement officers” within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. §2680(h), and wereemployees of the United States Government, acting within the scope of their officesand employment.

L. Hubert Vidrine was indicted and prosecuted for violating 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2)between June 17, 1996 and September 5, 1996, in his capacity as refinery managerof Canal Refinery in Church Point, Louisiana, for knowingly storing hazardouswaste, described as “an oily like” waste material contaminated with chlorinatedsolvents, in Tank 402 at Canal Refinery, without a Federal or State permit to store,treat, or dispose of hazardous waste under specified federal and state statutes andregulations.

M. With respect to those charges, there is no genuine issue that the following materialfacts were true between the dates alleged in the indictment:


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1. Mr. Vidrine was performing the role of refinery manager.

2. Canal Refinery was located in Church Point, Louisiana.

3. Canal did not have a permit to store or process “hazardous waste.”

N. The government moved to dismiss all charges [in the underlying criminal matter] inSeptember, 2003. The court [Judge Tucker Melancon] granted the Motion.

O. The Parties at trial will not ask any government witness to confirm or deny whetherany individual served as a confidential witness or informant during theEnvironmental Protection Agency's and the Federal Bureau of Investigation'sinvestigation of plaintiff Hubert Vidrine.

[Doc. 244, pp. 16-18]

IV. Applicable Law

A. Federal Tort Claims Act

“As the sovereign, the United States is immune from suit unless, and only to the extent that,

it has consented to be sued.” Truman v. United States, 26 F.3d 592, 594 (5 Cir.1994)(citing Fed.th

Deposit Ins. Corp. v. Meyer, 510 U.S. 471 (1994)). One of the vehicles by which the United States

has waived its sovereign immunity is the Federal Torts Claims Act. Williamson v. U.S. Dept. of

Agriculture, 815 F.2d 368, 374 (5 Cir. 1987). Through the FTCA, the United States has consentedth

to suits “for injury or loss of property, or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or

wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Government while acting within the scope of his

[or her] office or employment, under circumstances where the United States, if a private person,

would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission

occurred.” 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)(1).

One notable exception to the FTCA is the “intentional tort” exception, which excludes from

the FTCA “[a]ny claim arising out of assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious


“[P]rosecuting attorneys are not ‘law enforcement officers’ within the meaning of this section.” 4

Vander Zee v. Reno, 100 F.3d 952, *4, n.2 (5 Cir. 1996)(unpublished)(citing Bernard v. United States,th

25 F.3d 98, 104 (2 Cir. 1994); Ware v. United States, 838 F.Supp. 1561, 1563-64 (M.D.Fla. 1993);nd

Dirienzo v. United States, 690 F.Supp. 1149, 1158, n.8 (D.Conn. 1988)). No claim is before the Courtfor any alleged conduct of the “prosecuting attorney, i.e. the AUSA who handled the criminalprosecution. Rather the claims alleging conduct of the EPA agent[s] and FBI agent involved in thecriminal matter form the basis of plaintiffs’ claims.

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prosecution, abuse of process, libel, slander, misrepresentation, deceit, or interference with contract

rights.” 28 U.S.C. § 2680(h). Although the FTCA contains an “intentional tort” exception (which

excludes from the FTCA “[a]ny claim arising out of . . . malicious prosecution . . .”), that same

provision then waives sovereign immunity for certain intentional torts, including malicious

prosecution, committed by “investigative or law enforcement officers of the United States

Government.” 28 U.S.C. § 2680(h); see also Castro v. U.S., 560 F.3d 381, 386 (5 Cir. 2009).th

“‘[I]nvestigative or law enforcement officer’ means any officer of the United States who is

empowered by law to execute searches, to seize evidence, or to make arrests for violation of Federal

law.” Id. 4

As noted, “[s]tate substantive law applies in suits brought under the FTCA, . . . and we apply

the law of the state in which the suit arises . . . .” Cleveland ex rel. Cleveland v. U.S., 457 F.3d 397,

403 (5 Cir. 2006); see also 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)(1), supra. However, certain categories of damagesth

are prohibited under the FTCA, regardless of whether or not they are recoverable pursuant to state

law. See 28 U.S.C. § 2674 (“The United States shall be liable, respecting the provisions of this title

relating to tort claims, in the same manner and to the same extent as a private individual under like

circumstances, but shall not be liable for interest prior to judgment or for punitive damages.”)

B. Malicious Prosecution

Louisiana recognizes a civil cause of action, “based on fault under C.C. 2315, in favor of one


Louisiana is among the few states in which the tort of “malicious prosecution” encompasses the5

commencement or continuation of a prosecution, whereas the majority of states recognize claims formalicious prosecution premised solely upon the commencement of a prosecution, terminating with the

indictment. See e.g. Parks v. Winnfield Life Ins. Co., 336 So.2d 1021, 1029 (La. 3 Cir.rd

1976)(“Defendants also argue that a malicious prosecution action cannot be maintained against themafter an indictment has been returned against the plaintiff. There is no merit in this argument. By raisingthe issue of the grand jury indictment, defendants are simply attempting to prove that there was probablecause to institute the proceedings. A grand jury indictment is not conclusive evidence of probable causeand any presumption which may arise as a result of it can be rebutted by proof that the indictment wasobtained by false testimony or by proof that defendants failed to make a full and complete statement ofthe facts to the grand jury”); Knapper v. Connick, 668 So.2d 465, 468 (La. 4 Cir. 1996), rev’d on otherth

grounds (“Our courts have rejected a presumption of probable cause based upon indictment”).

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‘whose liberty has been interfered with in an unwarranted manner’”; stated more simply, Louisiana

recognizes the tort of “malicious prosecution.” Jones v. Soileau, 448 So.2d 1268, 1271 (La. 1984).

“Like any other delict under C.C. 2315, such an ‘interference’ must be based on faultof the defendant which causes the damage complained of in order for the plaintiff torecover.” Id. The elements for a claim of malicious prosecution pursuant to Louisianalaw are as follows: (1) the commencement or continuance of an original criminal orcivil judicial proceeding ; (2) its legal causation by the present defendant in the5

original proceeding; (3) its bona fide termination in favor of the present plaintiff; (4)the absence of probable cause for such proceeding; (5) the presence of malice therein;and (6) damage conforming to legal standards resulting to plaintiff.”

Jones v. Soileau, 448 So.2d 1268, 1271 (La. 1984); see also Miller v. East Baton Rouge Parish

Sheriff’s Department, 511 So.2d 446, 452 (La.1987). As noted, at the pre-trial conference, all

counsel stipulated elements 1-3 are met, leaving only elements (4) the absence of probable cause for

the criminal proceeding, (5) the presence of malice, and (6) damages. [Doc. 249, p.1]

Pursuant to Louisiana law, a grand jury is to indict an individual when the jurors find that the

evidence would justify a conviction absent an explanation or contradiction. La.C.Crim. Proc. Art

443. This has been cited as a “more stringent” standard, which requires “stronger proof” than a

finding of probable cause for arrest. State v. Huff, 392 So.2d 1046 (La. 1980).

The Louisiana Supreme has defined probable cause for arrest, in the context of a malicious

prosecution case, as follows:


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Probable cause for arrest exists when facts and circumstances within the knowledgeof the arresting officer and of which he has reasonable and trustworthy informationare sufficient to justify a man of average caution in the belief that the person to bearrested has committed or is committing an offense.

The appearances must be such as to lead a reasonable person to set thecriminal process in motion; unfounded suspicion and conjucture [sic] will not suffice.Verification may be required to establish probable cause where the source of theinformation seems unworthy, or where further information about a serious chargewould be readily available. The reputation of the accused, his opportunity to offerexplanation, and the need for prompt action, if any, are all factors in determiningwhether unverified information furnishes probable cause.

Miller v. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Dept., 511 So.2d 446, 452 (La. 1987)(citations omitted).

The crucial determination for determining probable cause is whether the investigative or law

enforcement officers “had an honest and reasonable belief in the guilt of [the accused] at the time

[they] pressed charges.” Jones at 1272 (citations omitted); see also Smith v. State Through Dept.

of Admin, 694 So.2d 1184, 1188 (La. 1 Cor. 1997). “In applying these principles, a court may takest

into account events subsequent to the filing of the criminal charge. These are, however, simply

additional pieces of evidence which comprise the entirety of the circumstances which it is the court's

duty to review.” Jones at 1272.

With regard to malice, Louisiana courts have stated:

[M]alice does not submit readily to definition. . . . Any feeling of hatred, animosity,or ill will toward the plaintiff, of course, amounts to malice. But it is not essential toprove such ill will. Malice is found when the defendant uses the prosecution for thepurpose of obtaining any private advantage, for instance, as a means to extort money,to collect a debt, to recover property, to compel performance of a contract, to “tie upthe mouths” of witnesses in another action, or as an experiment to discover whomight have committed the crime. Malice may be inferred from the lack of probablecause or inferred from a finding that the defendant acted in reckless disregard of theother person's rights.

Miller at 453 (citations omitted).


See also Hope v. City of Shreveport, 862 So.2d 1139, 1143 (2 Cir. 2003) (quoting Robinson v.nd6

Rhodes, 300 So.2d 249, 251 (La. 2 Cir. 1974)(“the rule that where a committing magistrate, without and

trial, has discharged the accused, or the prosecuting officer has dismissed the charge, or where a grandjury has returned a no bill, there is a presumption of want of probable cause with the result that, in a suitfor malicious prosecution based on that discharge, the burden of showing that he acted on probable causeand without malice is upon the defendant.”); Keppard v. AFC Enterprises, Inc., 802 So.2d 959 (La. 4th

Cir. 2001).

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Of importance to this matter, Louisiana jurisprudence provides that when charges against an

individual are dismissed “prior to trial, lack of probable cause and malice are presumed and the

burden is on the defendant to prove he acted with probable cause and without malice.” Zerbe v.

Town of Carencro, 884 So.2d 1224, 1231 (La. 3 Cir. 2004). In this matter, all counsel agree underrd 6

the facts, the presumption operates and the government has the burden of showing it acted on

probable cause and without malice.

Finally, pursuant to Louisiana law, “Damages are “presumed when the other five elements

are established.” Jones at 1273; see also Cleveland, 457 F.3d at 403; 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)(1); 28

U.S.C. § 2647.

C. Law Applicable to the Underlying Criminal Proceeding

The Indictment issued against Mr. Vidrine in the criminal proceeding alleged in pertinent part

as follows:

Between on or about approximately June 17, 1996, and on or about September 5,1996, in the Western District of Louisiana and elsewhere, HUBERT PAULVIDRINE, JR., defendant herein in his capacity as refinery manager for “Canal” atChurch Point, Louisiana, did knowingly store hazardous waste, namely an oily likewaste material contaminated with chlorinated solvents, including but not limited to,Chloroform, 1,2- Dichloroethane, Carbon Tetrachloride, and Tetrachloroethene, atstorage Tank 402 on the property of “Canal” at Church Point, Louisiana, a locationfacility which did not have a Federal or a State permit to store, treat, or dispose ofhazardous waste under Title 42, United States code, Sections 6925 or 6926.

All in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 6928(d)(2). [42U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2)].


McKenzie was the manager of the barge cleaning operation for Trinity. [P023 at 649; D64 at7

USA1016] McKenzie was indicted, along with Trinity and Vidrine; all charges against McKenzie andTrinity were, also, dismissed.

Trinity is a barge cleaning operation that accepts and collects used oil from generators of used8

oil in the marine transportation industry. Trinity then stores the used oil until it accumulates enough tosell a load to a buyer, and the buyer will then process or rerefine the used oil. [P023 at 649-49; testimonyof Romanowsky]. According to the Indictment, Canal’s business involves rerefining used oil andalternative feedstock into gasoline, kerosine and diesel fuel. [P023 at 647] Canal Refinery was notindicted; Trinity was indicted with Hubert Vidrine and all charges against Trinity Marine, also, weredismissed.

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According to the Government’s Response in Partial Opposition to Motion for Bill of

Particulars:

Between on or about approximately June 17 1996, and September 5 1996,th th

defendants herein, Trinity Marine Baton Rouge, Inc. and Frederick E.McKenzie , did knowingly transport and cause the transportation of hazardous waste7

solvents without a uniform hazardous waste manifest to an unpermitted facility anddefendant, Hubert Paul Vidrine, Jr., did knowingly store or caused to be storedhazardous waste at the Canal Refinery facility, Church Point, Louisiana, on thefollowing dates: 8/13/96; 8/14/96; 8/16/96; 8/16/96; 8/20/96; 8/23/96; 8/26/96;8/26/96; 8/29/96; 8/29/96; 8/30/96; 8/31/96; 9/3/96; 9/4/96. (Emphasis added)

[Pl. Ex. 024, at 666] Thus, according to the government, the alleged criminal conduct of Hubert8

Vidrine, for which he was indicted began on August 13,1996 and continued to September 4, 1996.

[Pl. Ex. 024, at 666]

Title 42, United States Code, Section 6928 provides in pertinent part as follows:. . . .

(d) Criminal penalties

Any person who--

. . . .

(2) knowingly treats, stores, or disposes of any hazardous waste identified orlisted under this subchapter--

(A) without a permit . . .


It should be noted that the statute cited above, 42 U.S.C. § 6928, additionally grants authority to9

the Administrator to assess civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day, for violations of federal lawgoverning hazardous waste management, without the requirement of a “knowing” violation. Id. at6928(a)-(c).

The term “knowingly,” as used in § 6928, is defined as that which “means no more than that the10

defendant knows factually what he is doing - storing, what is being stored, and that what is being storedfactually has the potential for harm to others or the environment, and that he has no permit - and it is notrequired that he know that there is a regulation which says what he is storing is hazardous under theRCRA.” See e.g. United States v. Baytank, 934 F.2d 599, 611-613 (5 Cir. 1991). In other words,th

mistake of law (i.e. ignorance of the regulations) is not a defense to the “knowledge” prong of § 6928;however, mistake of fact is a defense to the knowledge aspect of this crime. Id. at 612.

The EPA has acknowledged “there are situations where it is difficult to tell if a waste is used11

oil or a hazardous waste.” 50 FR 49164-01, p. 175. This statement is particularly true in this case, as theevidence suggests an internal debate among EPA employees, as well as a debate between EPA andLouisiana DEQ as to whether or not the material in Tank 402 constituted “used oil” or “hazardouswaste.” See e.g. P031, pp. 815-817 (correspondence from Sue Brauer, EPA used oil expert, to KeithPhillips); P025 (correspondence between EPA and Louisiana DEQ). The Court additionally notes thereare certain statements made by the EPA in its correspondence to DEQ which seem to ignore or gloss over

11

shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $50,000for each day of violation, or imprisonment not to exceed two years(five years in the case of a violation of paragraph (1) or (2)), or both.9

Stated more simply, Mr. Vidrine was indicted for knowingly storing hazardous waste on the Canal

Refinery site without a hazardous waste permit between August 13, 1996 and September 4, 1996.

It is undisputed that neither Mr. Vidrine, nor Canal Refinery, had the necessary permit to store

hazardous waste during the relevant time frame. What is particularly relevant in this matter is: (1)

whether Mr. Vidrine was storing “hazardous waste” at all, and (2) if so, whether Mr. Vidrine was

knowingly storing such hazardous waste.10

1. Used Oil vs. Hazardous Waste

Complicating this matter somewhat are the RCRA regulations themselves, particularly as

they pertain to whether or not the alleged substance, in Canal Refinery Tank 402, was “hazardous

waste,” as the government argues, or “used oil,” as plaintiffs argue, the differing categories invoking

different regulations and different statutory application. 11


E.P.A.’s own RCRA regulations. See e.g. P025, p. 673 (“The analytical data of Tank 402 and the tankertrailer support the position that the materials brought to Canal from the facilities identified above, cannotbe used s they were intended (a feed stock for diesel) due to contamination. . . . Consequently, thematerials have been used . . . .”); id. (“Because the spent or contaminated hydrocarbon and chlorinatedmixture was sent to Canal to be used to produce diesel fuel, the material would meet the definition ofrecycled in 40 C.F.R. 261.2(c)(2)(B); thus establishing the position that the material was discarded.”)

12

The RCRA is a regulatory statute intended to protect public health and as such, itshould be construed to effectuate its regulatory purpose. United States v. Johnson &Towers, Inc., 741 F.2d 662, 666 (3rd Cir.1984). Congress enacted the RCRA, 42U.S.C. §§ 6901–6991, to regulate the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardouswastes by monitoring wastes from their creation until their permanent disposal.Matter of Commonwealth Oil Refining Co., 805 F.2d 1175, 1177 (5th Cir.1986). Thepurpose of the RCRA regulatory scheme is to provide “nationwide protection againstthe dangers of improper hazardous waste disposal.” H.R.Rep. No. 1491, 94th Cong.,2d Sess. 11, reprinted in 1976 U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 6238, 6249.

U.S. v. Sellers, 926 F.2d 410, 416, n.2 (5 Cir. 1991). th

In 1980, RCRA was amended by The Used Oil Recycling Act (“UORA”). The UORA “was

intended to increase safe recycling and reuse of used oil.” 55 FR 11798-01. The UORA “established

that it is in the national interest to recycle used oil in a manner that both protects public health and

the environment and conserves energy and materials.” Id. Section 7 of the UORA authorized the

EPA to regulate recycled oil, whether or not the Agency classifies such oil as hazardous under

subtitle C of RCRA. 42 U.S.C. § 6935(a). In 1985, the EPA proposed to list most types of used oil,

including recycled used oil, as a hazardous waste. Id. However, the following year, EPA determined

it would not list used oil as a hazardous waste, because the EPA “believed that the listing would

discourage recycling of used oil and could result in an increase in the amount of used oil that is

disposed of or illegally dumped.” Id. In 1990, the EPA revised subtitle C of RCRA, subjecting

additional wastes to regulatory control, and provided the following summary pertaining to its

treatment of used oil:

Under today’s rule, used oil will be regulated as a hazardous waste only:


It is undisputed Canal Refinery, at which Hubert Vidrine was manager, was in the business of12

rerefining used oil into diesel fuel.

The statute defines solid waste as “Any garbage, refuse, sludge . . . and other discarded13

material, including solid, liquid, semisolid, or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial,commercial, mining, and agricultural operations, and from community activities. . . .” 42 U.S.C. §6903(27)(emphasis added). “A solid waste is any discarded material that is not excluded [under Part261].” 40 C.F.R. § 261.2 (emphasis added).

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(1) If it exhibits one or more of the hazardous waste characteristics defined insubpart C of 40 CFR part 261 (including the TC as finalized today) and (2) if itis disposed of (rather that recycled). On the other hand, used oil that exhibitsone or more of the hazardous waste characteristics and is recycled is exemptfrom regulation. . . .

55 FR 11798-01 (emphasis added) (a distinction that is quite relevant to the arguments presented to

this Court). In 1992, the EPA stated, “The regulations in part 279 [“Standards for the Management

of Used Oil”] apply to all used oils, regardless of whether or not they exhibit a hazardous waste

characteristic.” 57 F.R. 41566-01 (emphasis added). In part, this is because the EPA has found,

on multiple occasions, “that used oil is frequently found to contain hazardous halogenated spent

solvents.” 50 F.R. 49164-01 (emphasis added), p. 175; see also Id. at 176 (“Since hazardous

halogenated compounds - many of them hazardous waste - are frequently found in used oil. . . .”)12

The EPA further declared Part 279 “cover[s] all used oil handlers and all types of used oils.”

Id.(emphasis added). Furthermore, the “EPA presumes that all used oils are recyclable either as

a fuel or a feedstock.” Id. (emphasis added).

RCRA, itself, defines “hazardous waste” (as pertinent to the issues before this Court) as

follows:

(a) A solid waste , as defined in § 261.2, is a hazardous waste if:13

(1) It is not excluded from regulation as a hazardous waste under § 261.4(b);and


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(2) It meets any of the following criteria:

(I) It exhibits any of the characteristics of hazardous wasteidentified in subpart C of this part. However, any mixture of a wastefrom the extraction, beneficiation, and processing of ores andminerals excluded under § 261.4(b)(7) and any other solid wasteexhibiting a characteristic of hazardous waste under subpart C is ahazardous waste only if it exhibits a characteristic that would nothave been exhibited by the excluded waste alone if such mixture hadnot occurred, or if it continues to exhibit any of the characteristicsexhibited by the non-excluded wastes prior to mixture. Further, forthe purposes of applying the Toxicity Characteristic to such mixtures,the mixture is also a hazardous waste if it exceeds the maximumconcentration for any contaminant listed in Table 1 to § 261.24 thatwould not have been exceeded by the excluded waste alone if themixture had not occurred or if it continues to exceed the maximumconcentration for any contaminant exceeded by the nonexempt wasteprior to mixture.

. . . .

(v) Rebuttable presumption for used oil. Used oil containing morethan 1000 ppm total halogens is presumed to be a hazardous wastebecause it has been mixed with halogenated hazardous waste listedin subpart D of part 261 of this chapter. Persons may rebut thispresumption by demonstrating that the used oil does not containhazardous waste (for example, to show that the used oil does notcontain significant concentrations of halogenated hazardousconstituents listed in appendix VIII of part 261 of this chapter). . . .

40 C.F.R. § 261.3 (emphasis added)(“Definition of hazardous waste,”) that same subpart of the

hazardous waste regulations (i.e. Subpart A) goes on to list certain requirements for hazardous

wastes that are to be recycled. See 40 C.F.R. § 261.6. The same section then states as follows:

Used oil that is recycled and is also a hazardous waste solely because it exhibitsa hazardous characteristic is not subject to the requirements of parts 260 through268 of this chapter, but is regulated under part 279 [“Standards for the Managementof Used Oil”] of this chapter. Used oil that is recycled includes any used oil whichis reused, following its original use, for any purpose (including the purpose for whichthe oil was originally used). Such term includes, but is not limited to, oil which isre-refined, reclaimed, burned for energy recovery, or reprocessed.


In Canal Barge, the Fifth Circuit upheld the trial court’s finding that a sludge product that14

remained on a tank barge was hazardous solid waste, rather than used oil subject to the regulations foundat part 279, where the material had been discarded or abandoned, the material was solid, and thematerial was hazardous due to its benzene level. Id. at 378 (emphasis added); see also U.S. v. Sims Bros.Const., Inc. 277, F.3d 734 (5 Cir. 2001)(canisters of methyl bromide discovered on property whereth

grocery store was to be built, which had been left by the person owning the property prior to the personwho sold the property to the grocery store owner, were hazardous waste, as they were “waste” whengrocery store owner purchased the property.)

“The term ‘recycled oil’ means any used oil which is reused, following its original use, for any15

purpose (including the purpose for which the oil was originally used.) Such term includes oil which isre-refined, reclaimed, burned, or reprocessed.” 42 U.S.C.A. § 6903. It is undisputed Canal Refinery was

in the business of re-refining used oil.

15

40 C.F.R. § 261.6(a)(4) (emphasis added).

As the Fifth Circuit has explained, “In general, part 279 governs the transportation and

management of used oil and used oil residue.” Canal Barge Co. v. Torco Oil Co., 220 F.3d 370, 378

(5 Cir.2000). “It excludes used oil that is to be used for energy recovery and certain other purposesth

from the hazardous waste regulations of part 261.” Id. (citing § 279.10). If used oil is intended for

energy recovery, it is regulated by Part 279. If, however, used oil is solid hazardous waste, it

is regulated by Part 261. Canal Barge at 378. “Solid waste may include discarded material, which

is material that has often been abandoned.” Id. (citing § 261.2). If a solid waste contains certain

characteristics set forth in § 261.3, it is deemed hazardous waste. Id. (explaining, “For example,

solid waste that contains a certain level of contaminants, such as a benzene level greater than .5 ppm,

constitutes hazardous waste. See id. § 261.24.”) 14

“Used oil” is defined as “any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil,

that has been used and as a result of such use is contaminated by physical or chemical impurities.”

40 C.F.R. § 279.1; see also 42 U.S.C.A. § 6903. Consequently, by definition “used oil is15

contaminated by physical or chemical impurities.” Part 279 provides in pertinent part:

This section identifies those materials which are subject to regulation as used oil


Of note, this is the same rebuttable presumption contained at 40 C.F.R. 261.3, infra at p. 14,16

and very similar to the rebuttable presumption contained at 40 C.F.R. § 279053, supra at pp. 21-22.

16

under this part. This section also identifies some materials that are not subject toregulation as used oil under this part, and indicates whether these materials may besubject to regulation as hazardous waste under parts 260 through 266, 268, 270, and124 of this chapter.

(a) Used oil. EPA presumes that used oil is to be recycled unless a used oil handler[here, such as Canal] disposes of used oil, or sends used oil for disposal [which didnot occur]. Except as provided in § 279.11, the regulations of this part apply to usedoil, and to materials identified in this section as being subject to regulation as usedoil, whether or not the used oil or material exhibits any characteristics of hazardouswaste identified in subpart C of part 261 of this chapter.

(b) Mixtures of used oil and hazardous waste–

(1) Listed hazardous waste.

(i) Mixtures of used oil and hazardous waste that is listed insubpart D of part 261 of this chapter [“Lists of HazardousWastes”] are subject to regulation as hazardous waste underparts 260 through 266, 268, 270, and 124 of this chapter, ratherthan as used oil under this part.

(ii) Rebuttable presumption for used oil. Used oil containing morethan 1,000 ppm total halogens is presumed to be a hazardouswaste because it has been mixed with halogenated hazardouswaste listed in subpart D of part 261 of this chapter. Persons mayrebut this presumption by demonstrating that the used oil doesnot contain hazardous waste (for example, by showing that theused oil does not contain significant concentrations of halogenatedhazardous constituents listed in appendix VIII of part 261 of thischapter). . . . 16

(2) Characteristic hazardous waste.

Mixtures of used oil and hazardous waste that solely exhibit one or moreof the hazardous waste characteristics identified in subpart C of part 261 ofthis chapter [“Characteristics of Hazardous Waste”] and mixtures of used oiland hazardous waste that is listed in subpart D solely because it exhibits one


Subpart D (“Lists of Hazardous Wastes”) requires the Administrator to indicate his basis for17

listing the classes or types of wastes by employing one or more of the following Hazard Codes: IgnitableWaste (I); Corrosive Waste (C); Reactive Waste (R); Toxicity Characteristic Waste (E); AcuteHazardous Waste (H); Toxic Waste (T). 40 C.F.R. §§ 261.30 - 261.31. Subpart C (“Characteristics ofHazardous Waste”) provides that a solid waste is deemed a hazardous waste if it exhibits any of thefollowing characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, toxicity. 40 C.F.R. §§ 261.20 - 261.24. Accordingly, 40 C.F.R. § 279.10(b)(2), supra, applies to mixtures of used oil and characteristichazardous waste, or mixtures of used oil and listed hazardous wastes, provided the listed hazardous wastehas been listed on the basis that it is ignitible waste, corrosive waste, reactive waste and/or toxiccharacteristic waste.

17

or more of the characteristics of hazardous waste identified in subpart C are17

subject to:

(i) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section,regulation as hazardous waste under parts 260 through 266, 268, 270,and 124 of this chapter rather than as used oil under this part, if theresultant mixture exhibits any characteristics of hazardous wasteidentified in subpart C of part 261 of this chapter; or

(ii) Except as specified in § 279.10(b)(2)(iii) regulation as used oilunder this part, if the resultant mixture does not exhibit anycharacteristics of hazardous waste identified under subpart C of part261 of this chapter.

(iii) Regulation as used oil under this part, if the mixture is of used oiland a waste which is hazardous solely because it exhibits thecharacteristic of ignitability (e.g., ignitable-only mineral spirits),provided that the resultant mixture does not exhibit the characteristicof ignitability under § 261.21 of this chapter.

40 C.F.R. § 279.10 (“Applicability”)(emphasis added). In other words, although in no way clearly

stated by the regulations, it would appear, mixtures of used oil and a listed hazardous waste are

regulated as a hazardous waste under Part 260; mixtures of used oil and a characteristic hazardous

waste are regulated as a hazardous waste only if they continue (subsequent to mixing) to exhibit one

or more of the following characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and/or toxicity -

however, mixtures of used oil and a solid waste that exhibit solely the characteristic of ignitability

are regulated as used oil, as long as the mixture does not also exhibit the characteristic of ignitability.


See Report of Romanowsky, Ex. K (EPA OSWER Directive 9592.1994(08) (Sep. 12, 1994)18

(“[P]resumption that used oil that contains greater than 1000 ppm total halogens has been mixed withhazardous waste can be successfully rebutted by documenting the source of the halogens i.e., by showingthat the halogens are not attributable to intentional mixing of used oil and hazardous waste.”); id. at Ex. L(EPA OSWER Directive 9592.1994(03) (Apr. 8, 1994) (Person may rebut the presumption “bydocumenting the source of the halogens i.e., by showing that the halogens are not attributable tointentional mixing.”). The Court has found further support for this interpretation as well. See e.g. EPAOSWER Directive 9592.1994(10), 1994 WL 903995; 50 F.R. 49614-01, p. 175 (“EPA indicated thatthere are situations where it is difficult to tell if a waste is used oil or a hazardous waste. The difficulty isin determining whether a used oil was mixed with a hazardous waste, or whether the oil becamecontaminated during its (the oil's) use. The legislative history of the Used Oil Recycling Act indicatesclearly that used oil that is contaminated during use is to be classified as used oil and, if recycled, besubject to regulation under section 3014. See H.R. Rep. No. 96-1415 at 6.”); City of Chicago v.Environmental Defense Fund, 511 U.S. 328, 340-41 (1994)(Although discussing a different portion ofRCRA, the Supreme Court appears to define mixing, pursuant to RCRA, as an intentional mixing:“Household waste is regarded as nonhazardous when it is first discarded and, as long as it is not mixedwith hazardous waste, it retains that characterization during and after its treatment and disposal. Eventhough it contains some materials that would be classified as hazardous in other contexts, and eventhough its treatment may produce a residue that contains a higher concentration of hazardous matter thanwhen the garbage was originally discarded, such waste is regulated as nonhazardous waste under SubtitleD. See ante, at 1590-1591. Thus, an incinerator that burns nothing but household waste might ‘generate’tons of hazardous residue, but as a statutory matter it still is deemed to be processing nonhazardous wasteand is regulated as a Subtitle D, rather than Subtitle C, facility.”); 50 F.R. 49164-01, p.175 (“Thus, underthis rule, mixtures of hazardous waste and used oil ordinarily are classified as hazardous waste. It is notalways possible, however, to prove—or even to be sure—that such mixing has occurred, particularlywhen no one has observed the act of mixing.”); Id. at 178 (“The rebuttable presumption is not a measureof when regulation is necessary, but a measure of when mixing can be presumed to have occurred. Usedoil containing halogens at less than the presumption level could still be regulated as hazardous waste, butthe burden would be on EPA to prove that such used oil is a hazardous waste by virtue of mixing with alisted hazardous waste. See 50 FR 1692, n. 22. EPA's burden would not automatically be satisfied byshowing evidence of halogen levels in the used oil.”). See also Bowles v. Seminole Rock & Sand Co.,325 U.S. 410, 413-14 (1945)(“Since this involves an interpretation of a regulation a court mustnecessarily look to the administrative construction of the regulation if the meaning of the words used is indoubt. . . . [T]he ultimate criterion is the administrative interpretation, which becomes of controllingweight unless it is plainly erroneous or inconsistent with the regulation. . . . In this case the only problemis to discover the meaning of certain portions of Maximum Price Regulation No. 188. Our only tools,therefore, are the plain words of the regulation and any relevant interpretations of the Administrator.”)

18

Id.; see also June 16, 2011 testimony of Romanowsky.

It must, additionally, be noted that plaintiffs argue (and support with directives issued by the

EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (“OSWER”)) that the term “mixture,” as used

in the RCRA regulations, requires an intentional act of mixing, rather than contamination resulting

from normal industry practices. In other words, plaintiffs therefore argue used oil which contains18


Plaintiffs argue it follows then, that if used oil contains less than 1000 ppm of a listed19

hazardous waste, as did the material in this case, the EPA should have presumed the oil becamecontaminated during its use, and, thus, would not be subject to the hazardous waste regulations withwhich Vidrine was charged, unless there was evidence of intentional mixing. See note 17, supra.

When Part 279 was first enacted, the EPA explained that the way it would distinguish used oil20

from hazardous waste would be through the rebuttable presumption (for a discussion of this presumptionand its application and operation see 50 C.F.R. 49164-01):

We discuss below how we apply the principles for distinguishing between used oil andhazardous waste to: Used oil containing halogenated wastes; used oil containinghazardous waste generated by small quantity generators; and used oil that exhibits acharacteristic of hazardous waste.

1. Used Oil Containing Halogenated Wastes. Today's rule, like the proposed rule,reiterates the principle found in § 261.3(a)(2) of the existing regulations that a hazardouswaste mixed with a solid waste is a hazardous waste. Thus, under this rule, mixtures ofhazardous waste and used oil ordinarily are classified as hazardous waste. It is notalways possible, however, to prove—or even to be sure—that such mixing has occurred,particularly when no one has observed the act of mixing. Used oil containing smallamounts of hazardous halogenated compounds is an example where there may beuncertainty.

Since hazardous halogenated compounds—many of them hazardous waste—arefrequently found in used oil (see Table 1 in the proposal (50 FR 1686)), the Agencybelieves (and virtually all commenters agreed) that a simple, objective test is needed todetermine when used oil has been mixed with hazardous spent halogenated solvents (orother halogenated hazardous waste) in order to avoid case-by-case confusion as to whenmixing has occurred, and to aid in consistent enforcement of the regulation. To this end,EPA proposed, and is adopting today a rebuttable presumption as to when mixing withhazardous wastes has occurred.

a. The Rebuttable Presumption: The Standard and Means of Rebuttal. Today's ruleestablishes a rebuttable presumption that used oil containing more than 1,000 ppm totalhalogens has been mixed with hazardous spent halogenated solvents (i.e., EPA

19

a listed hazardous waste, or used oil containing a characteristic hazardous waste, should be regulated

as used oil under Part 279, unless it can be shown that the hazardous waste was intentionally mixed

with a hazardous waste, as opposed to having become contaminated during the oil’s use. Under19

this argued interpretation of the word “mixture,” if used oil is contaminated with more than 1000

ppm of a listed hazardous waste, plaintiffs argue, EPA will presume the oil was intentionally mixed

with the hazardous waste, but if the oil is contaminated with less that 1000 ppm a different result20


Hazardous Waste No's. F001 and F002) or other hazardous halogenated wastes and,therefore, is a hazardous waste under provision of the “mixture rule” of 40 CFR 261.3(i.e., a mixture of a listed hazardous waste and other material is a hazardous waste unlessdelisted under provisions of 40 CFR 260.20).

In response to comment that EPA clarify the available means of rebutting thispresumption, the final rule states that the presumption can be rebutted by demonstratingto enforcement officials that the oil is not mixed with hazardous waste. One suchapproach in making this demonstration is to show that the used oil does not containsignificant levels of halogenated hazardous constituents. See § 266.40(c). Thus, thepresumption can be rebutted successfully even if some hazardous halogenatedcompounds are present in the oil. We believe that oil containing less than on the order of100 ppm of any individual hazardous halogenated compound listed as a hazardous spentsolvent (i.e., EPA Hazardous Waste Numbers F001 and F002) should not be presumed tobe mixed with spent solvent. [The material in Tank 402 contained less than 200 ppmtotal halogens at every level tested. P039 at 1348.] As the Agency stated at proposal (50FR 1691) and as confirmed by a number of comments, when these compounds arepresent at such low levels, it is difficult or impossible to pinpoint the source of thecontamination. Such low levels found at the generator's site certainly do not indicatedeliberate mixing with solvents. Both used oil and hazardous halogenated solvents arefrequently generated by the same facility, and some incidental contamination is probablyinevitable. It should be noted that burning used oil with such levels of solvent will notpose significant risk from emissions of either incompletely burned solvents orhydrochloric acid.

. . . .

3. Used Oil that Exhibits a Characteristic of Hazardous Waste. Used oil itself might be ahazardous waste if it exhibits a characteristic of hazardous waste. The most likelypossibility is ignitability. As discussed at proposal (see 50 FR at 1693), EPA intends thatused oil that is a hazardous waste solely because it exhibits a characteristic of hazardouswaste be regulated as used oil fuel (where so recycled), provided that it is not mixed witha hazardous waste. Ignitable used oil is regulated as used oil under today's rule and isprohibited from burning in nonindustrial boilers when its flash point is less than that ofcommercial fuel (i.e., 100 °F).

. . . .

Commenters asked whether used oil known to be mixed with a characteristic hazardouswaste is regulated as used oil fuel or hazardous waste fuel if the mixture exhibits acharacteristic. As discussed above, used oil mixed with hazardous waste is regulated ashazardous waste fuel.[FN52] It is only when we are uncertain that mixing has occurredthat we give the benefit of doubt (e.g., low flash point used oil and used oil containingless than 1000 ppm total halogens) and do not presume that mixing has occurred. Thus,when used oil has been mixed with a characteristic hazardous waste, the mixture isregulated as hazardous waste fuel if it continues to exhibit a characteristic. If theresultant mixture no longer exhibits a characteristic of hazardous waste, it is regulated as

20


used oil.[FN53] This is merely a statement of the “mixture rule” in § 261.3.

FN53 It should be noted that mixing a characteristic hazardous waste withanother material to render the waste nonhazardous constitutes treatment ofhazardous waste subject to applicable standards under 40 CFR Parts 264-265 and270, and the notification requirements of section 3010 of RCRA.

50 FR 49164-01 (footnotes omitted).

The government argues Hubert Vidrine, as manager at Canal, did not make that determination21

and thus stands at risk under the applicable law; plaintiff, Hubert Vidrine argues notwithstanding anyalleged failure to test for halogens, the facts establish the material for which he was indicted, which was

21

should flow. Id. at § 279.10(b)(1)(ii).

The government argues, in essence, the used oil did not become contaminated during its

“use”, but rather, it became contaminated during its storage at Trinity Marine, as the result of poor

housekeeping at that barge cleaning facility. Under those circumstances, the government argues, the

argued rebuttable presumption, either does not apply at all, as other regulations apply, or it has been

shown “mixing” - with the, disputed, requisite degree of intent or purpose - occurred at Trinity

sufficient to justify the application of the statue with which Vidrine was indicted. Again, plaintiff,

on the other hand, argues the presumption does apply and no samples showed over 1000 ppm of

halogens, and thus, Vidrine should not have, if for no other reason than this, been indicted.

It should be noted, the rebuttable presumption for used oil is additionally incorporated by

reference in Subpart F of Part 279, which addresses Standards for Used Oil Processors and Re-

Refiners, and states as follows:

(a) To ensure that used oil managed at a processing/re-refining facility is nothazardous waste under the rebuttable presumption of § 279.10(b)(1)(ii), the owneror operator of a used oil processing/re-refining facility must determine whetherthe total halogen content of used oil managed at the facility is above or below1,000 ppm.

(b) The owner or operator must make this determination by:21


actually sampled and tested by the EPA, was, in fact, far under the 1000 ppm threshold, thus, he isproven not to be at risk.

22

(1) Testing the used oil; or

(2) Applying knowledge of the halogen content of the used oil in light of thematerials or processes used.

(c) If the used oil contains greater than or equal to 1,000 ppm total halogens, itis presumed to be a hazardous waste because it has been mixed withhalogenated hazardous waste listed in subpart D of part 261 of this chapter. Theowner or operator may rebut the presumption by demonstrating that the usedoil does not contain hazardous waste (for example, by showing that the used oildoes not contain significant concentrations of halogenated hazardousconstituents listed in appendix VIII of part 261 of this chapter). . . .

40 C.F.R. § 279.53 (emphasis added).

As complex and unclear as the drafting and interplay of these regulations may appear, as will

be discussed below, the issue at hand in not truly governed by these regulations.

2. Civil vs. Criminal Law

First, it should be noted civil violations could have been pursued under the civil enforcement

division of the EPA or Louisiana DEQ. However, the government chose not to pursue civil penalties

against Canal Refinery, but rather, chose to criminally prosecute Hubert Vidrine, the manager at

Canal Refinery, which requires knowledge on his part – the civil penalties do not require

knowledge. As the law clarifies, this requisite knowledge, is factual knowledge; a mistake of or

ignorance of the law not being a defense to a criminal prosecution under this statute. It is this pivotal

legal distinction that defines the inquiry before this Court. Consequently, whether or not the used

oil provisions or the hazardous waste provisions would have applied in Hubert Vidrine’s criminal

case is not determinative to the inquiry before this Court. Whether or not Hubert Vidrine might

have, erroneously or not, believed the used oil regulations with their 1000 ppm presumption applied


Plaintiff argues the government cannot carry their burden to show Hubert Vidrine had22

knowledge or sufficient knowledge under the applicable law, that he was storing a “mixture,” or storinghazardous waste, that is, that he was receiving and storing anything other than used oil, and used oil thatwas to be re-refined, and, thus, the oil had never been abandoned or disposed of or a “waste.” Hence, thehard fought debate as to which regulations actually would be found to apply to the facts in this case,although, perhaps relevant as to malice, is not controlling as to probable cause, if the government cannotlift the matter beyond a possible civil violation on Canal Refinery’s part, into the criminal realm of a“knowing” storing of oil which poses the requisite risk as determined by the policy choices made andillustrated within the history of the applicable regulations, as previously discussed above.

Mike Franklin, who allegedly provided key information to the government is deceased.23

23

or not, is not determinative of the issue before this Court: the jurisprudence is clear mistake of law,

is not a defense; a mistake of fact, or ignorance of fact, could be a defense to the criminal

proceedings. 22

Consequently, the true threshold inquiry before this Court is a factual one; i.e., did Hubert

Vidrine knowingly store material that could be found to be hazardous waste, under either set of

regulations. Hubert Vidrine argues he did not, and further argues the government bears the burden

of proof on this issue, and the government cannot carry its burden to show he did. The government

argues Hubert Vidrine did know, or should be found to have known, as he engaged in “deliberate

ignorance,” a legal nuance the government argues could have been employed to find probable cause

within the criminal context.

VI. Findings of Fact

At the outset, this Court notes determining the facts in this case has been complicated by

conflicting testimony and the absence of a certain key witness upon whom the government relied in

plaintiff’s underlying criminal prosecution. The Court’s findings of fact are based upon a careful23

consideration of the various testifying witnesses’ credibility, the extensive documentary evidence

placed into the record, the degree to which the latter corroborated the former, and the reasonable

inferences drawn from the established facts.


Zerbe, 884 at 1231.24

P023 at 652-5325

24

As already noted, all agree the government bears the burden to overcome the presumption

that probable cause was lacking, as well as the inference of malice, and depending on the findings

of this Court on those two prongs, an additional presumption as to damages might or might not

apply.

Consequently, this Court will first turn its attention to the first prong, the applicable

presumption that probable cause did not exist in this matter.

A. Probable Cause

As all parties agree a presumption exists in this matter that there was a “lack of probable

cause,” which the government must overcome , therefore, the question before this Court becomes24

what evidence, if any, has the government put forth to establish the existence of probable cause as

to the particular crime for which Hubert Vidrine was indicted.

The allegations contained in the Indictment regarding Mr. Vidrine are found in Count III.

Count III alleges (as quoted earlier) that from June 17, 1996 to Sept. 5, 1996, Mr. Vidrine:

[D]id knowingly store hazardous waste, namely oily like waste materialcontaminated with chlorinated solvents, including, but not limited to Chloroform, 1,2-Dichloroethane, Carbon Tetrachloride and Tetrachlorethane, at storage Tank 402and on property of Canal, which did not have a federal or state permit to store . . .hazardous waste under Title 42, U.S.C. § 6925 or 6926.

All in violation of 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2), Title 30, La. R.S. 2183(F)(1).25

However, by way of the “Partial Response to Motion for Bill of Particulars,” the government

provided further specificity of the charges against Vidrine:

(a.) Between on or about approximately June 17th, 1996 and September 5th,1996, defendants herein, Trinity Marine Baton Rouge, Inc. and Frederick


Exhibit P024 at 666, 667 (emphasis added). As noted by the government in Section I of its Bill26

of Particulars:

The purpose of a Bill of Particulars is to inform the defendant of thecharges against him with sufficient precision to enable him to prepare a defense, toavoid or minimize the danger of unfair surprise at trial, and to enable him to pleaddouble jeopardy in the event of a subsequent prosecution for the same offense. Wong Tai v. United States, 273 U.S. 77 (1927); United States v. Perez, 489 F.2d 51, 70-71 (5 Cir. 1973). th

Id. (emphasis added).

25

E. McKenzie, did knowingly transport and cause the transportation ofhazardous waste solvents without a uniform waste manifest to anunpermitted facility and defendant, Hubert Paul Vidrine, Jr., didknowingly store or caused to be stored hazardous waste at the CanalRefinery facility, Church Point, Louisiana, on the following dates: 8/13/96;8/14/96; 8/16/96; 8/16/96; 8/20/96; 8/23/96; 8/26/96; 8/26/96; 8/28/96;8/29/96; 8/29/96; 8/30/96; 8/31/96; 9/3/96; 9/4/96.

. . . .

(f.) . . . The process generating chlorinated solvents as solid waste wasTrinity’s barge cleaning operation. These chlorinated solvents arediscarded commercial chemical products no longer useful for their originalintended purposes. 26

Accordingly, in the criminal proceedings, the allegations against Mr. Vidrine were that he knowingly

stored hazardous waste (originating from Trinity Marine) at Canal Refinery, without a permit, on the

following dates: 8/13/96; 8/14/96; 8/16/96; 8/16/96; 8/20/96; 8/23/96; 8/26/96; 8/26/96; 8/28/96;

8/29/96; 8/29/96; 8/30/96; 8/31/96; 9/3/96; 9/4/96.

At the civil trial before this Court, the determination of whether or not probable cause existed

to indict Hubert Vidrine revolved around two issues: (1) whether or not the material Vidrine stored

was properly characterized by the government as “hazardous waste”; and (2) if the material was

hazardous waste, was there probable cause to believe Hubert Vidrine had knowingly stored such

hazardous waste.


At worst, Trinity was guilty of “poor housekeeping,” resulting in an unintentional mixing of a27

small amount of chlorinated solvents (far less than the 1000 ppm used oil threshold) with its used oil.Furthermore, the indictment against Trinity, charging it, in part, with the transportation of hazardouswaste to an unpermitted facility (namely, Canal Refinery), also, was dismissed, and thus, Trinity, like Mr.Vidrine, would be presumed innocent of the charges leveled against it, and the same presumption of alack of probable cause for the indictment likely would apply.

26

1. Whether the material stored in Canal Refinery’s Tank 402 constitutedhazardous waste.

Both plaintiffs and defendant devoted much argument to the debate over which portion of

the RCRA regulations applied in the criminal context. As will be discussed, Antifreeze Inc., and its

owner John Broussard - with whom Canal and Trinity had done business around the time of the

events contained in the Indictment against Mr. Vidrine, et al - were indicted and convicted of crimes

involving hazardous waste, which were wholly unrelated to the charges contained in the Indictment

issued against Mr. Vidrine, Mr. McKenzie, and Trinity Marine. At trial before this Court, the

government argued Broussard, i.e. Antifreeze, Inc., was, in effect, laundering hazardous waste in the

following manner: Broussard would receive non-hazardous waste, have it sampled, often provide

those clean samples to his customers, and once customer agreed to purchase the product, Broussard

(who presumed, as was customary in this industry, his “regular” customers would not re-sample the

product) would then mix hazardous waste into the product prior to delivering it to his customers.

However, no evidence was presented at this trial that Trinity Marine engaged in such conduct, a fact

the government’s own agents admitted during their testimony. 27

At the trial of this matter, plaintiffs’ expert, Peter Romanowsky, whom this Court found

credible, testified it was his opinion the hazardous waste regulations relied upon by the government

require a purposeful or intentional mixing. Agent Phillips, utilizing a tortured reading of the

regulations and a highly selective application of the facts to the applicable RCRA regulations, in


Compare P031, pp. 815-817 (correspondence from Sue Brauer, an EPA used oil expert) with28

Phillips testimony on June 7, 2011 at p. 133, to Keith Phillips); P025 (correspondence between EPA andLa. DEQ); Trial Tr. Vikin vol. I, 20:11-19, 24-25, 21:1-2, 6-11, 18-23, 22:6-25, 23:1-25, 24:1-4, June 22,2011.

27

effect, argued poor housekeeping at Trinity equated to a purposeful mixing and thus, triggered

application of the desired regulations. Of note, even among EPA personnel, as well as between the

EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”), there existed an internal

debate as to whether or not the material for which Mr. Vidrine was indicted constituted “hazardous

waste,” or “used oil,” and thus, which regulations might apply - a debate Agent Phillips, in effect,28

ignored.

While this Court is of the opinion that that which the government accused Mr. Vidrine of

storing should be considered “used oil” and not “hazardous waste,” it need not delve into the morass

that is the RCRA regulations further than it already has, because in this matter, for the reasons that

follow, the Court finds probable cause did not exist to support knowledge on the part of Hubert

Vidrine – the lynch pin to any possible criminal prosecution at issue. For the purposes of this

Ruling, it is sufficient to note the question exists, and that the government, who must overcome the

presumption that probable cause did not exist, and the presumption that malice did exist, failed to

establish that this question of debate, as to the applicable law, was fairly presented by the EPA

technical expert and case agent, i.e. Phillips, and later Guy Tidmore, to the Department of Justice

(through the Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the case), the grand jury, or even to Agent

Phillips’ own co-case agent, Agent Barnhill. This Court finds for the reasons noted below Phillips

intentionally obscured and manipulated this legal issue.


Again, this Court notes the regulations allow for civil penalties, which include substantial fines,29

without the necessity of a knowing violation of the RCRA regulations. However, the government did notchoose that path, and therefore, knowledge on the part of Hubert Vidrine was a critical element of thecriminal prosecution.

Fifth Circuit Pattern Jury Instruction 1.37 - Criminal, 2001 ed.30

The one issue undercutting the reliability of Agent Vikin’s testimony at trial was his trust in,31

and reliance upon, the information provided to him by Keith Phillips. While this is not unexpected -presumably an EPA agent should be able to rely upon information provided to him by another employeeof the EPA who is charged with having expertise over that subject matter - unfortunately it did play a rolein creating and fostering an environment which allowed a malicious prosecution to continue for almostfour years. Furthermore, once Agent Phillips’ interpretation of the RCRA regulations became the subjectof debate even among various EPA experts (i.e. Sue Brauer, a “used oil” expert for the EPA, and AgentPhillips, a “Technical and Regulatory” expert for the EPA), closer scrutiny should have been applied toAgent Phillips’ interpretation of the applicable law, particularly when Agent Vikin testified that at thattime, he had a very limited, introductory understanding of the RCRA regulations. However, this Court,also, notes Agent Vikin exited the scene before then EPA technical and regulatory expert Phillips tookover the case as the Agent in Charge.

28

1. Whether Hubert Vidrine knowingly stored the purported hazardouswaste.

The Court will now turn its attention to the pivotal element in the criminal prosecution of

Hubert Vidrine - knowledge - and whether the government overcame the presumption that probable

cause did not exist that Hubert Vidrine knowingly stored any purported hazardous waste. “The29

word ‘knowingly,’ . . . means that the act was done voluntarily and intentionally, not because of

mistake or accident.” For the reasons that follow, the Court finds the government did not overcome30

that presumption, and addresses below the strongest evidence presented by the government on that

issue. a. Vikin’s investigation

The government relies heavily on the testimony of Agent Vikin, whom the Court found to

be credible and competent, as well as the interviews and investigation he conducted, in support of

their showing probable cause existed as to the crime for which Hubert Vidrine was indicted.31

However, for the reasons that follow, this Court finds that reliance to be misplaced.


Antifreeze, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as AFI. 32

AUSA Howard Parker was assigned as the prosecutor to the AFI/Broussard prosecution, as33

well as the prosecution of Hubert Vidrine.

On October 10, 1996 (approximately one month after the search warrant was executed at34

Canal), AFI and John Broussard were indicted for environmental crimes, wholly unrelated to this matter. On January 15, 1997, AFI and Broussard pleaded guilty to “transportation of hazardous waste to anunpermitted facility, its transportation without a manifest, and its storage without a permit.” U.S. v.

29

i. AFI /Broussard32

Before discussing the purposes for which the government put forth AFI/Broussard evidence,

a bit of background is in order. Canal Refinery first came onto the EPA’s radar during the

investigation of AFI and John Broussard. At trial before this Court, EPA agents testified John

Broussard, the owner of AFI, was, in effect, laundering hazardous waste, by mixing hazardous waste

with other “clean” products, and thereafter, selling off the mixture represented as the “clean”

product. EPA Agent Ivan Vikin was the lead agent in that investigation. FBI Agent Ekko Barnhill,

then EPA Technical and Regulatory Expert Keith Phillips, and EPA Agent Rick Langlois were also

involved in the investigation, including the execution of a search warrant at AFI. 33

On May 7, 1996, while executing a search warrant at AFI, the government found

documentation (namely, bills of lading with designations such as “fuel oil” and “petroleum

distillates”), which the government believed indicated Canal had purchased product which was this

Broussard hazardous waste mixture, disguised as alternative feedstock (“AFS”), from AFI and John

Broussard. Additionally, when the warrant at AFI was executed, a tanker truck was at AFI, being

filled with AFI product, and the truck “was destined for Canal Refinery.” Obviously, this piqued the

government’s interest, as it gave rise to the possibility that Canal was receiving hazardous waste, and

perhaps was aware AFI and Broussard were laundering hazardous waste, and therefore, perhaps,

Canal was potentially complicit in AFI and Broussard’s illicit scheme. 34


Broussard, 140 F.3d 1038, *1 (5 Cir. 1998); Minutes of Change of Plea Hearing, U.S. v. Broussard, etth

al, No. 96-cr-60041 (W.D.La. Jan. 14, 1997), ECF No. 18.

Exhibit D1 at 00001. Counsel for Mr. Vidrine agrees that although the evidence uncovered35

during the search of AFI gave the government probable cause to investigate Canal Refinery, he argues itdid not at any time give rise to the existence of probable cause to indict Hubert Vidrine.

Id. at 00004 (emphasis added). At trial, Mr. Vidrine testified that to his knowledge, Canal did36

not buy any product directly from Tiger Shipyard. However, Canal may have purchased Tiger product atsome point in time through a third party broker. P.189 June 20, 2011.

Id. at 00008, 00012.37

Id. at 00009, 00010, 00013, 00016.38

30

Consequently, on September 1, 1996, Agent Vikin executed a “Case Opening Checklist” on

Canal Refining; there is no mention of Hubert Vidrine in that document. On September 4, 1996,

Agent Vikin obtained a search warrant for Canal Refining Company, on the basis that he had

“evidence of treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste identified or listed under RCRA,

without a permit.” The application for the warrant states that Agent Vikin had “probable cause to35

believe that Canal and its employees violated RCRA by accepting and receiving hazardous waste

without a uniform hazardous waste manifest from Anti-Freeze Inc. and Tiger Shipyard.” In the36

section entitled “Facts Establishing Probable Cause” (within the application for a search warrant for

Canal), Agent Vikin stated that on May 7, 1996, a search warrant was executed at AFI. During the

course of the search warrant, as well as during subsequent interviews of AFI employees, agents

learned that AFI had sold “material” to Canal, and AFI had made 5 to 10 deliveries of material to

Canal, beginning in 1995. According to the AFI employees, the bills of lading accompanying the37

shipments of material from AFI to Canal represented the materials as fuel oil. Agent Vikin further38

attested, “During the search warrant executed at AFI, on May 7 - 10, 1996, a tanker trailer at AFI


While interviewing AFI employees, Agent Vikin learned tank # 14 was where John Broussard39

would store various, unsellable hazardous waste chemicals. Of note, even had the government been ableto prove at this trial that hazardous waste from AFI went to Canal Refinery, in addition to the fact Mr.Vidrine was not charged with that crime, this particular incident predates the storage events set forth inthe Bill of Information. Furthermore, Mr. Vidrine freely admitted at trial that prior to the search at AFI,Canal did purchase some products from AFI, including not only alternative feedstock, but also, gasolineadditives (e.g. ethanol, MTBE, naphtha). June 20, 2011 at 81-101. Vidrine suggested that after thesearch at AFI, if Canal had bought any product from AFI, Mr. Vidrine did not think it would have beenalternative feedstock, but stated he would have to look at the records to be certain. Id. (Counsel for thegovernment did not produce the records for his review.)

Id. at 00015. The Affidavit additionally references an incident on August 22, 1996, involving a40

leaking tanker truck at a truck stop, which was suspected of carrying and leaking hazardous materials. Id.at 00013. The Louisiana State Police had informed Agent Vikin that “the material was picked up atTiger Shipyard by Cooper Gilder Chemical Company and [was] to be delivered to Canal. . . .” Id. Thecontents of the tanker trailer were listed as “petroleum distillates N.O.S.” Id. Field tests indicated theleaking material was caustic, and air monitoring conducted with a “halogen meter,” indicated “highlevels of halogenated compounds emanating from the tanker trailer.” Id. at 00014. At trial, thegovernment relied upon this incident, in part, to establish the existence of probable cause as to HubertVidrine. However, this incident in no way involved material from Trinity, and there is no evidenceVidrine was aware of the incident. Furthermore, the evidence presented at trial on this issue - namely,Agent Vikin’s affidavit for a search warrant, as well as his testimony - does not establish the tankertrailer actually was carrying hazardous material; rather, government officials believe it was carryinghazardous material. (Agent Vikin testified that his statement in the Affidavit that the tanker truck wascarrying hazardous waste was based on the opinion of Keith Phillips. Testimony of Vikin, vol. II, pp.173-174, June 23, 2011.) Of interest, the material contained in the Cooper Guilder tanker trailer wasallowed to return to Tiger Shipyard, and was thereafter offloaded onto a barge - a strange result if indeedthe material was actually hazardous waste which was being improperly handled. D84; testimony ofVikin, vol. II, pp. 234-236, June 23, 2011.

31

which had been loaded from tank # 14, was destined for Canal as fuel oil. No hazardous waste39

manifest accompanied the tanker.” (emphasis added).40

On September 5, 1996, the search warrant obtained by Agent Vikin was executed at Canal

Refinery. Agent Vikin, as lead EPA agent, was in charge of the search; FBI Agent Ekko Barnhill

participated on behalf of the FBI as a cooperating agency, Keith Phillips participated as the EPA’s

technical and regulatory agent, and numerous other law enforcement agents and agencies participated

as well. It was during the execution of the search warrant at Canal, that government agents first

discovered Trinity Marine’s connection to Canal. During execution of the search warrant at Canal,


“Pipeline interface” is a mixture of two products, such as gasoline and diesel, resulting from41

the pipeline company changing the product being conveyed through the pipeline. Ex. D59. No evidencewas presented at trial that Trinity sold, or even possessed, “pipeline interface,” and it would seemunlikely considering the nature of Trinity’s business. However, it does appear from the testimony ofAgent Vikin that his understanding was that the terms “alternative feedstock” and “pipeline interface” areinterchangeable. Contrarily, in the refinery business, pipeline interface is a type (or subset) of alternativefeedstock, which contains little to no sulfur. Only high sulfur AFS - i.e. various AFS other than pipelineinterface, such as used oil - were stored in Tank 402 at Canal Refinery. Thus, it would seem that thematerial that arrived at Canal, from Trinity, on the day of the search, either was not correctly identifiedby the government, or was not the material destined for Tank 402.

Exhibit P043 at USA002464. Although the government suspected Broussard may have mixed42

his hazardous waste into the load from Trinity on this occasion and others as part of his hazardous wastelaundering scheme, at trial, government agents testified no evidence was ever found to corroborate thattheory.

Testimony of Vidrine, June 20, 2011 at p. 81.43

32

a truck, which, according to the government, was carrying “pipeline interface” arrived at the

refinery. Although the driver of the truck was an AFI employee, it was established the material in41

the truck came exclusively from Trinity Marine, and was brokered by Mel Campbell, and not John

Broussard. (Mr. Campbell was a chemical broker who had some not fully identified business42

arrangement with Broussard and AFI, not clearly established at trial. The evidence indicated

Broussard and Campbell may have jointly had a trucking company, or Campbell may have leased

tanker trucks belonging to AFI and, using an AFI driver, Campbell had the Trinity product

transported to Canal. ) The material contained in the truck was sampled, and the sample, ultimately,43

was shown to contain chlorinated solvents/halogens, however, far beneath the 1000 ppm

presumptive threshold for used oil.

At trial before this Court (as well as in the underlying grand jury sessions), in an attempt to

show the existence of probable cause for the criminal indictment issued against Mr. Vidrine, the

government, through, now, Agent Phillips, put forth an abundance of irrelevant, yet prejudicial,

evidence relating to AFI and John Broussard. The government vehemently argued that at some


Additionally it is noted that even a secondary scenario - that perhaps Broussard was44

clandestinely mixing hazardous waste into Trinity’s product without the knowledge of Canal - did notbear fruit. Agent Phillips testified on this issue as follows:

Q. . . . Whiting made it very clear that, when he got that truck every morning, it wentstraight from Trinity to Canal, and it never went by Anti-Freeze, and no product in any ofthose deliveries ever got into that truck from Anti-Freeze, right?

A. I believe that's what his testimony was.

Q. Okay.

A. Or record of interview. Not testimony.

Q. Right. And there never was any evidence to the contrary. So once you checked itout, you found out that everything, just like the Bill of Particulars said, everything inthose shipments from August 13th to September 4th was Trinity product, right?

A. That's correct.

Phillips testimony, vol V, pp. 868-869, June 13, 2011.

Andrew Hanson, an employee with Trinity Marine, testified that at some point in time, likely thesummer of 1996, Trinity made a site inspection at AFI and thereafter explicitly prohibited any of itsproduct from stopping at AFI before delivery. However, to Hanson’s knowledge, Trinity’s product didnot stop at AFI prior to the site inspection. Ex. D63, pp. 961-965.

Frank Bourque, an employee at AFI, advised Agent Barnhill he recalled two occasions when theAFI tanker did not go directly to Canal from Trinity, but instead stopped at AFI to get “topped off.”However, Bourque continued, “John Broussard used petroleum distillates to top off the tanker,” andBourque “did not believe that John Broussard used chlorinated solvents to top off the tanker,” adding, “Isee everything put into the tankers”, or words to that effect. Exh. D65 at 1021 (emphasis added). Bourqueadditionally advised he was “not aware of any time when AFI loaded the tanker with any material fromAFI prior to the tanker leaving for Trinity to receive a load for Canal,” and on the day of the searchwarrant at Canal, the load from Trinity to Canal did not stop at AFI to be topped off. Id. at 1021-1022.

Also, the AFI driver who delivered product from Trinity to Canal testified he never stopped atAFI prior to making his deliveries at Canal. [Exh. D16 at 00122]

33

unidentified point in time, Canal might have received material from AFI, which the government

believed to be hazardous waste, and yet Vidrine was at no time indicted for storing material from

AFI and/or John Broussard. Ultimately, the government’s suspicion regarding a possible connection

between AFI’s criminal activity and Canal Refinery did not bear fruit , and the allegations in the44


In other words, in neither the AFI nor the Vidrine prosecutions, was Vidrine indicted for any45

transportation, storage, etc. for any AFI or John Broussard material going to Canal, nor was AFI indictedfor anything having to do with Canal.

It is additionally noted that nothing on the face of the bills of lading seized at AFI, which the46

government believed showed sales of product from AFI to Canal, supports a finding of knowledge on thepart of Hubert Vidrine, a fact even Agent Phillips conceded during his testimony at trial. Trial Tr. vol. V,pp. 889-891, June 13, 2011.

EPA agents arrived at Canal between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., and conducted a 3 or 4 hour pre-47

warrant interview of Mr. Vidrine. The Agents served the search warrant after lunch, and thereafterinterviewed Mr. Vidrine at least two more times. The agents did not leave the refinery until after 10:00p.m. See e.g. Vikin, vol. I, pp. 121-122, June 22, 2011; Vidrine, pp. 114, 115, 129, June 16, 2011.

34

indictment brought against Mr. Vidrine were limited solely to material received from Trinity Marine,

and not AFI. This Court notes, notwithstanding the search warrant at Canal having been executed

prior to the return of the indictment against AFI, neither Hubert Vidrine nor Canal was named in that

indictment. Had the government believed sufficient evidence existed to indict Hubert Vidrine for

matters relating to AFI, it could have made him a co-defendant in the case against Mr. Broussard and

AFI, or included such charges in the indictment that ultimately issued against Hubert Vidrine - that

did not occur. Consequently, the Court finds the government’s evidence as to AFI and John45

Broussard is in no way relevant to the existence of probable cause with regard to the crime for

which Hubert Vidrine was actually indicted. 46

ii. Vidrine’s conduct during the interviews conducted on theday of the search warrant

During the execution of the search warrant at Canal, Mr. Vidrine was interviewed by Agent

Vikin and then technical and regulatory expert Phillips (as well as Sgt. Chris Viator of the Louisiana

State Police) over the course of many hours. The government argues Mr. Vidrine’s conduct during47

the search warrant, and his changing story as to sampling, as reflected in Agent Vikin’s notes and

interview summary, as well as Vikin and Phillips’ testimony, supports a finding of probable cause


See also Exh. D16, p. 2010FBI00029 (Interview of R. Whiting, AFI truck driver)(Agent48

Barnhill’s memorandum of her interview of Whiting states: “At CANAL, no samples were pulled fromthe AFI truck prior to the AFI truck off loading product in the CANAL tank. WHITING stated that attimes when he, as an AFI tanker driver, trucked products in to CANAL from other facilities besidesTRINITY, a sample would be pulled by CANAL prior to the product being off loaded into CANALtanks.”)

Mr. Vidrine testified the testing he was referring to during his interview takes approximately49

four hours.

35

that Hubert Vidrine knowingly stored hazardous waste. Vikin’s notes and interview summary reflect

that during his interview, Mr. Vidrine told agents “every truck” that comes into Canal with pipeline

interface is sampled and analyzed for the following constituents: sulfur, distillation properties, flash

point, vapor pressure, and chlorinated solvents. When asked how Canal analyzes for chlorinated

solvents, Vidrine stated that draeger tubes were utilized. According to the government, Vidrine

subsequently revised his statement, clarifying that not all tanker trucks destined for Tank #402 were

sampled and analyzed; regular suppliers, such as Tidewater America, who were trusted to supply

pipeline interface free of chlorinated solvents, were not sampled upon every delivery. The48

government argues Vidrine again revised his statement by stating that the analysis of tanker truck

samples were not always run immediately; tanker trucks were consistently allowed to unload their

contents into Tank #402 prior to analysis. Vidrine stated “nobody in the industry has the man power

to hold up a truck and sample/analyze it.” Additionally, Vidrine, also, noted some samples from49

tanker trucks from various suppliers are composited then analyzed - i.e. product from several tankers

is mixed together and then sampled.

At trial, Mr. Vidrine testified on this topic as follows:

Q. . . . Isn’t it true that on the day of the search warrant you told Agent Vikin thatevery shipment of product was tested for chlorinated solvents?

A. No.


36

Q. Isn’t it true that on the day of the search warrant you told Agent Vikin that onceproduct was pulled from a tanker truck it was walked over to Canal’s lab which hadtwo chemists?

. . . .

WITNESS: I don’t recall. Q. Do you recall revising your statement by saying that not all tanker trucks destinedfor Tank 402 were sampled and analyzed?

A. I don’t recall that conversation. I recall we talked about sampling and what myprocedure was for sampling.

Q. Do you recall telling Agent Vikin that you sampled only trusted vendors?

A. No, I don’t recall that.

Q. Do you recall admitting to Agent Vikin that tanker trucks were consistentlyallowed to unload their contents into Tank 402 prior to analysis?

. . . .

A. Those were not my words. There was something close to that effect but thatwasn’t - - I don’t believe - - repeat what you said again, because I don’t believe - -

Q. I don’t intend to give you the impression that I’m quoting you. This is not aquote from you. I’m simply asking, isn’t it true that on the day of the search warrantyou admitted that tanker trucks were consistently allowed to unload their contentsinto Tank 402 without testing.

A. Yes and I’ll tell you why. When a batch is tested, when we buy a batch ofproduct, let’s say a compartment of something with several truckloads, we’ve gotsamples that are tested, and we know what the product is, and it’s already beentested. We do sample the trucks, the trucks every truck is supposed to be sampled.Now they are not stopped, in other words, they stop, a sample is taken, bring it to thelab and the truck is allowed to unload. Then we check the samples. We don’t let thetruck sit for hours waiting. We let them unload while we check to make sure it'sconsistent with the previous test that we tested of that product.

. . . .

When samples are brought in before we buy the samples, before we buy a product,


Mr. Vidrine continued: 50

THE COURT: Was the sample from the Trinity material and product that was putinto Tank 402 prior to the arrival of the tanker produced in this case, do you know?

THE WITNESS: Yes.

. . . .

THE COURT: Then when those tankers arrived another sample was taken to see if itmatched up?

WITNESS: That's right, those trucks are sampled. The product is first sampled andtested and then each truck coming in is then sampled and then the samples are brought tothe lab and then spot checked to make sure it's consistent with the original sample thatwas tested.

THE COURT: Was this done?

WITNESS: Yes.

THE COURT: On every tank load that went into Tank 402 prior to the arrival of thetruck that arrived on the day of the search warrant?

WITNESS: Yes. Samples were taken from each truck and the main sample of the batchwas tested before any of those trucks came in on that batch.

Vidrine testimony, pp. 170-174, June 20, 2011. (emphasis added).

Vikin, vol. II, p. 218, June 23, 2011.51

37

that samples is tested for quality control, our quality control specs.50

The government, through the testimony of Agents Vikin and Phillips, argues Vidrine’s

demeanor changed (i.e. “as if he felt like a weight came off of him” ) during this discussion about51

testing, leading the government to believe Vidrine had been caught in a deception of some kind.

Although this Court found Agent Vikin to be quite credible, and will accept his observation that

Vidrine’s demeanor shifted at that point, Agent Phillips and Mr. Vidrine’s testimony reflected that

on the day of the search at Canal, there was a miscommunication between Vidrine and the

government agents as to what tests were actually being run at Canal, the substances for which Canal


See e.g. Trial Tr. Vikin vol. II, pp. 198-199, 226, June 23, 2011.52

See e.g. D46 at 76453

See e.g. Vidrine testimony, Day 8, June 16, 2011 (describing how he kept responding to the54

agents questioning and showing them the results of Canal’s chloride tests, but later realized the agentswere asking about chlorine tests); Phillips testimony, Day 5, June 13, 2011 (“Q. Do you recall afterextensive questioning of Mr. Vidrine about the testing he did for chlorides, as you’ve said, that finally,do you remember Mr. Vidrine saying, oh, you’re not interested in chlorides, are you? You’re interestedin chlorines? . . . [T]hen Mr. Vidrine told you, oh, no, we haven’t been testing for chlorinated solvents,but we did buy the test kits and they got here and we’re getting ready to do it. Isn’t that what happened? A. Yes.”) The confusion over the technical terms is further illustrated by the fact that in his notes, AgentVikin used the shorthand term “ClG” to refer to “chlorinated solvents.” “Cl)” is the chemical symbol for

38

was actually testing, and as to which tests the questions were directed at, at any given time. The

miscommunication revolved primarily around the distinction between testing for chlorinated solvents

and chlorides. This confusion, born out of chemistry, short hand references to technical matters, and

conflicting understandings of the meanings attached to those references, was evident even within the

testimony presented at trial, and thus, is not something which this Court finds is indicative of guilty

knowledge or a deliberate attempt to deceive. Thus, a change in demeanor upon recognition of the52

miscommunication, during a high stress interrogation, would not be unexpected or clearly indicative

of “guilty knowledge” as the government argues.

At the time of the search warrant, as freely admitted by Hubert Vidrine at trial, Canal had not

yet begun testing for chlorinated solvents, and the test kits for chlorinated solvents were located in

Mr. Vidrine’s office. The testing that Mr. Vidrine was describing to the agents, was designed to

analyze whether a given product was compatible with Canal’s equipment and transformer; the test

was not designed to determine whether Canal was in compliance with the regulatory chlorinated

compound threshold. At some point during Mr. Vidrine’s interviews, Mr. Vidrine realized the53

officers were asking about chlorinated solvents, whereas he testified he had previously thought the

agents were asking about chlorides. Thus, the Court finds the government’s reliance on Agent54


“chloride” - the substance Vidrine originally thought the agents were questioning him about. See e.g. Ex.D86 at USA003292; testimony of Vikin. Additionally, it should be noted Mr. Vidrine speaks with a verythick Cajun accent, is hard of hearing, and had had little or no sleep the night prior to the search warrant(which lasted over 14 hours), as he was caring for his son who was suffering with kidney stones, ascorroborated by Agent Philips when he testified before the grand jury on July 14, 1999 [P033, p. 883].

Agent Langlois (who has been a Resident Agent in Charge with the EPA, a Special Agent in55

Charge over a multi-state area, a Super-Special Agent in Charge over an eight state area, and a Professorof Criminology, Homeland Security and Public Safety) testified that pursuant to his training, an interviewshould not last longer than a couple of hours. He further testified that an interview lasting several hours,spread out over the course of a fourteen hour day, when the person being interviewed had not slept thenight before, would not only be ill-advised, but he likely would not have condoned such conduct. Langlois, pp. 89-90, June 17, 2011.

On December 18, 1996 (approximately three months after execution of the search warrant at56

Canal), the EPA, through Agent Vikin, requested “prosecutorial assistance” in the Canal case as toCanal, but not for Hubert Vidrine.

39

Vikin’s observation as to the possible change in the demeanor of Hubert Vidrine is misplaced,

particularly when an equally plausible deduction is that after an excessively long interview , riddled55

with confusion and miscommunication on technical matters, when Mr. Vidrine finally realized he

and the agents were speaking about two different substances, he looked “as if he felt like a weight

came off of him.”

In sum, the government argues Vidrine “changed his story” during his interview with Vikin

and Phillips, which supports the government’s showing of probable cause as to Vidrine’s knowledge.

However, the government’s own agent, upon whom the government now relies, who had full

knowledge of that which occurred during the interviews with Hubert Vidrine, testified, and his

chronology reflects, that notwithstanding Vidrine’s conduct and/or statements during the interviews,

he (Agent Vikin) did not feel he had sufficient evidence to refer Vidrine to the Department of Justice

for prosecution. Agent Vikin did not open a case file on Vidrine after the Canal search; he did

not refer Hubert Vidrine to the AUSA when he referred Canal for prosecution , and when56


Trial Tr. Vikin vol. II, 253:20, June 23, 2011. 57

See e.g. Trial Tr. Vikin vol. II, p.182, June 23, 2011.58

Trial Tr. Vikin vol. I, 109:18-19, June 22, 2011 (Specifically, Agent Vikin testified at the time59

he left his Louisiana duty station, “I just didn’t have a lot of evidence to present to Howard so that hecould pursue Mr. Vidrine.”)

40

asked why not, he candidly answered, “. . .I did not have evidence to prove that.” This Court57

agrees.

iii. Conclusion of Vikin’s Investigation

In August of 1998, after handling the ongoing investigation for almost two years, Agent

Vikin was promoted and transferred to North Carolina. Agent Vikin testified that during the

majority of his supervision of the investigation, his focus was on AFI, and following “the AFI

thread” to determine what entities had potentially accepted hazardous waste from AFI - his focus was

not on Hubert Vidrine or Trinity Marine. All the facts relied upon by Agent Vikin to obtain the58

search warrant for Canal related to AFI and Tiger Shipyard. The referral letter prepared by Agent

Vikin, requesting prosecutorial assistance, contains no mention of Hubert Vidrine. Agent Vikin

testified that at the time he left his Louisiana duty station, he did not believe there was

sufficient evidence to open a case file on Hubert Vidrine individually, or to refer Hubert

Vidrine to the AUSA for prosecution. Thus, the government’s reliance of Agent Vikin’s59

testimony to establish the existence of probable cause as to Hubert Vidrine for the crime for which

he was indicted, this Court finds, is misplaced.

b. Langlois’ investigation

In August of 1998, after Agent Vikin was transferred to North Carolina, the ongoing

investigation was temporarily assigned to EPA Resident Agent in Charge Ricky Langlois. The Court


His subsequent departure is a great loss to the Agency.60

Of interest, Agent Langlois testified that he learned about the connection between Trinity and61

Canal from the bills of lading found during the search at AFI; whereas Agents Vikin and Phillips testifiedthey did not learn of this connection until the AFI truck carrying Trinity product appeared during thesearch at Canal. However, Agent Langlois did not know whether or not the Trinity material would stop atAFI en route to Canal, so that hazardous waste could be mixed in with the material from Trinity.Compare Langlois, pp. 76-78, June 17, 2011 with Vikin, pp. 68-69, 77, 129 June 22, 2001.

In fact, Mr. Franklin was so pivotal, that when he ultimately was prohibited by Judge Melançon62

from testifying in the criminal trial, the government - referring to Judge Mealonçon’s Ruling as a “mortalwound” - ultimately dismissed the indictment against Hubert Vidrine and his co-defendants.

Testimony of Langlois, p.161-162, June17, 2011. Of note is Agent Langlois’ use of the term63

“total halogens,” rather than “chlorinated solvents” (a term Agent Phillips utilized almost to theexclusion of all others).

41

found Agent Langlois to be exceedingly credible, competent, and frank, he exhibited a refreshingly

dignified candor. Unfortunately, Agent Langlois only handled the investigation for a few months,60

as he, too, was in the process of being transferred.

Agent Langlois testified that while he was investigating the case, his focus, like Agent

Vikin’s, had been on following the trail of material that had left AFI. However, of great61

significance in this matter, is that while Agent Langlois was handling the investigation, he, along

with FBI Agent Ekko Barnhill, interviewed a person by the name of Mike Franklin. (Mike Franklin

would ultimately become - to Agents Phillips and Barnhill - the “lynch pin” of their case against

Hubert Vidrine. ) Agent Langlois testified that in his opinion, Mike Franklin did not tell him62

anything that he, Langlois, did not already know. Agent Langlois further testified Franklin “did not

resonate with him,” for a couple of reasons. First, Franklin told the agents he had test results

showing one sample from a tank at Trinity Marine tested “over a thousand parts per million total

halogens,” and because Mr. Franklin was discussing “total halogen” content, he was likely63

discussing used oil rather than hazardous waste. Furthermore, Agent Langlois questioned whether


Agent Langlois testified on this subject as follows:64

He wasn't offering me anything other than he had spoke – this is what came out atme. He had spoke with Fred McKenzie and took him and his son to lunch and that he knewand had tested one of those tanks and it was over a thousand parts per million total halogens.Now it didn't jump out at me as being key, and I wasn't taking his word, obviously, foranything other than face value, because if you tested something and you were able toespouse a number like a thousand parts per million, you were either doing total halogens.I was under the assumption that, A, where are the results. If you're telling me you did that,why didn't you bring that with you, where is it, and even does it exist. But in my mind,Judge, that day, and even to this day today, it just doesn't resonate with me, and that's whatI told the counselor. That's me.

Testimony of Langlois, pp. 161-162, June 17, 2011.

Agent Langlois testified in his experience as a supervisor, it was “not the norm” to assign a65

new, rookie agent as a case agent in charge. While he was a supervisor with the EPA, he would “usuallyattach them to someone who had a little more time on the bricks so that they could learn the system. . ..and learn with the documents and how to handle them and make sure they didn't make any mistakes. . . .”

42

Franklin was telling the truth, because Franklin did not provide the lab reports to back up his

statement, when clearly the reports were essential to validate the technical nature of the allegations.

Agent Langlois testified Franklin’s information was not a “big deal” to him at the time, nor does it

“resonate” with him to this day. When viewed in its entirety, as evaluated by Agent Langlois,64

during his brief handling of the investigation, Agent Langlois did not uncover any new evidence

which would support a finding different from Vikin’s, i.e. that there was not sufficient evidence to

open a case file on Hubert Vidrine or to refer Hubert Vidrine for prosecution.

c. Phillips’ Investigation

In June of 1999, EPA Technical and Regulatory Expert Keith Phillips left his EPA post for

approximately six months to attend training to become an investigative agent. He completed his

training in December of 1998, and on January 4, 1999, he received his first assignment - Case Agent

in charge of the investigation to which he had previously been the EPA Technical and Regulatory

Expert – the “Canal Refining Investigation.” It was at this point the focus of the investigation65


Langlois, p.92, June 17, 2011. Advice which this Court suggests, might have been well taken by AgentPhillips supervisor at the time.

In fact, numerous pertinent witnesses, many of whom had been interviewed prior to Agent66

Phillips’ assignment as case agent, were not called to testify at the grand jury. Rather, Agent Phillipsprovided generalized, inflammatory, and less than fully accurate, hearsay testimony as to the information

43

radically shifted, almost immediately, from “following the thread” from AFI perhaps to Canal, onto

Hubert Vidrine, individually, and Trinity Marine, rather than AFI. Therefore, the question becomes

what new evidence, if any, did Agent Phillips obtain, or what prior evidence did Agent Phillips

reevaluate, that almost immediately, upon his taking over the case, justified this shift in focus and

arguably provided newly promoted Agent Phillips with a belief probable cause existed to indict,

prosecute, and continue to prosecute Hubert Vidrine for knowingly storing hazardous waste from

Trinity, when clearly, the two agents who had handed off the ongoing investigation to Phillips,

agents with far more criminal investigatory experience than he, had felt there was insufficient

evidence to support such a belief, even as to material from AFI?

All parties agree there was probable cause to investigate Canal and Vidrine as to the AFI

information, and all agree probable cause existed to support the search warrant executed at Canal,

based on the AFI information. What is hotly contested, however, is whether or not probable cause

ever existed to indict Hubert Vidrine, individually, for material received from Trinity, and not AFI,

and thereafter, continue to prosecute him, individually, for the next four years. Although little, if

anything, of true substance or relevance was added to the investigation once Phillips assumed

command, an indictment, nonetheless, followed, resting primarily on selective information fed to

the prosecutor by Keith Phillips and upon Keith Phillips’ false testimony given before the grand jury,

and Agent Phillips’ selective and filtered interpretation of the information provided by Mike

Franklin. 66


those witnesses provided other agents, despite the fact Agent Phillips did not participate in many of theinterviews about which he testified.

Exhibit P014 at 000483.67

Agent Phillips learned, during the course of his investigation, that Franklin was terminated by68

Products Trading Corporation due to his alleged cocaine use.

Id. at 000485, 000494.69

Vidrine testimony, pp. 157-160, June 16, 2011; see also Government Ex. 86 at USA003301.70

44

i. Mike Franklin

As a threshold matter, in evaluating the information from Mike Franklin, this Court agrees

with plaintiffs’ counsel that even if one were to accept Mike Franklin’s story on its face, in all its

particulars - which this Court, for the reasons which follow, does not - the story does not provide

probable cause to indict or continue to prosecute Hubert Vidrine.

Mike Franklin first became associated with Canal in the summer of 1995, when he made a

sales call to Chuck McConnell, President of Canal. At that time Franklin worked for Products67

Trading Corporation, brokering sales of hydrocarbons. McConnell instructed Franklin to contact68

Hubert Vidrine, Canal’s plant manager, for discussion of any possible business transactions.

Thereafter, Franklin contacted Vidrine and soon began doing business with Canal, which included

the brokering sales of hydrocarbons to Canal and selling Canal’s refined products. 69

Of particular interest is the fact that on the day the search warrant was executed at Canal,

September 6, 1996, Mike Franklin was present at the Canal refinery and remained there without clear

purpose. Mr. Vidrine testified Franklin came, went to lunch with Vidrine, asked to use the phone,70

and remained at Canal in an office located across the hall from Vidrine’s office, during much of the

time Vidrine was being interviewed in his office. Vidrine further testified that Franklin could have

easily heard what was being discussed during the interviews from that location. Although Franklin’s


Vikin Vol. 1, pp. 114-115, 6-22-11. Vikin testified Vidrine mentioned Franklin during his71

interview, stating Franklin had advised Vidrine to be careful of the pipeline interface coming into Canal,

as it might contain chlorinated solvents. Id. at p.116, l.2-12.

Agent Barnhill testified at the grand jury: 72

Q And in fact, Mike Franklin happens to be at the Canal facility that morning, andessentially has lunch after EPA arrives on the scene, with Hubert Vidrine. Whathappens at lunch?

A At lunchtime, they met, I think, at Church's Chicken, or some sort of chicken - -

Ex. P006 at 000362.

Langlois pp.73-74, June 17, 2011 (Although Agent Langlois is not mentioned in Barnhill’s 302,73

he testified he was present at the interview, and his presence is noted in Agent Barnhill’s notes takenduring the interview. Unfortunately, by department policy, FBI interviews are not recorded by tape orvideo.); P014 at 000483-486

45

name and number appear in Agent Vikin’s notes taken during the search warrant, Vikin testified if

Franklin was at Canal on the day of the search warrant, he was unaware of that fact. Agent Vikin

testified the only time he heard mention of Mike Franklin on the day of the search warrant was when

Vidrine mentioned his name while being interviewed. However, Agent Barnhill testified to the71

grand jury that Mike Franklin was at the Canal Refinery on the day of the search warrant. 72

In November of 1998 (more than two years after the search of Canal), while the investigation

was under the control of Agent Langlois, Agent Langlois learned of Mike Franklin from Fred

Marshall, the plant manager at Canal after it was sold to a new entity. Langlois testified Marshall

told him “about a man [i.e. Mike Franklin] who was brokering other additives, MTBE which was

a fuel additive and he talked to this man and he made it a point to expound enough to give me the

man's name and it interested me.” On December 9, 1998, well after Mike Franklin had been present

at Canal during the execution of the search warrant and questioning of Hubert Vidrine, Agent

Langlois, along with Agent Barnhill, interviewed Mike Franklin. 73


An " FD-302" is a form used by FBI agents to report or summarize interviews that FBI agents74

conduct. It contains information from the notes taken during the interview, typically by a non-primary, ornon-interviewing agent. These forms are often criticized, as the interviews are not recorded, thesummaries are not always prepared contemporaneously with the interview, and thus, the 302 is oftencharacterized as more of a summary of the agent’s memory and understanding of what a witness said,rather than a memorandum of what the witness actually said during the interview.

46

(1) Franklin Reports of Interview

The 302 Agent Barnhill generated following the initial, December 9, 1998 interview of74

Franklin, reads in pertinent part:

[When FRANKLIN first met Vidrine,] VIDRINE gave [FRANKLIN] a"grand tour" of CANAL refinery. VIDRINE advised he wanted to buy “cheapproduct” and get CANAL off the ground and back onto its feet, adding that he hadone (1) year to get CANAL running efficiently. VIDRINE was going to be able todo this by buying product low and selling it high. When [FRANKLIN] boughtproduct from CANAL, VIDRINE would receive several cents per drum.

[FRANKLIN], working for TRANS GULF, began business with CANAL,shipping to CANAL from Houston, TX, a substance called Transmix. Transmix ismixture of diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, and other constituents. . . .

Prior to the Transmix being shipped to CANAL, the Transmix was tested forchlorinated solvents. [FRANKLIN] knows that it is illegal to have greater than 1000parts per million (ppm) of chlorinated solvents. Both [FRANKLIN] and [his partner]AUTENREITH tell VIDRINE that it is illegal to sell a product that has over 1000ppm of chlorinated solvents. The lab used by TRANS GULF was PRECISIONPETROLEUM LAB (PPL), Houston, TX, phone 713/680-9425.

In early 1996, prior to the search warrant executed on CANAL by FederalAgents, [FRANKLIN] traveled to TRINITY MARINE (TRINITY). VIDRINE hadtold [FRANKLIN] that TRINITY had product that [FRANKLIN] may want topurchase.

[FRANKLIN] thereafter traveled to TRINITY and met with FREDMCKENZIE, Superintendent at TRINITY. [FRANKLIN] subsequently obtainedsamples of the product TRINITY wanted to sell. These samples were given to PPLfor testing. Results of the test showed one of the sampled products to be over 1000ppm of chlorinated solvents.

[FRANKLIN] informed MCKENZIE in person that one of the sampledproducts tested over 1000 ppm of chlorinated solvents, and that he would not


47

purchase that product from TRINITY. [FRANKLIN] had also previously told overthe phone that the tested product was over 1000 ppm of chlorinated solvents.MCKENZIE said that if [FRANKLIN] wanted to purchase the other products fromTRINITY, then [FRANKLIN] would have to take the product in question that wasover 1000 ppm. [FRANKLIN] advised MCKENZIE that he did want the otherproducts, but did not want the product that sampled over 1000 ppm. MCKENZIEreplied, “We'll see”. [FRANKLIN] described the sampled product over 1000 ppm as“black, ambient and flashy”.

[FRANKLIN] was shown an aerial photograph of TRINITY by theinterviewing agents. [FRANKLIN] pointed to where he recalled the product sampleover 1000 ppm to be taken from, describing ½ of a large, grey barge close to theoffice and the bio barge. [FRANKLIN] estimated there to be 50,000 - 100,000gallons of product from where the sample containing over 1000 ppm was taken.Photocopy of the barge aerial photograph of TRINITY as shown to [FRANKLIN] isattached hereto.

A TRINITY employee, ANDREW (LNU), was present when the sample thattested over 1000 ppm was taken from the grey barge. . . .

Later in 1996, prior to the search of Canal by Federal Agents, [FRANKLIN]observed tanker trucks marked TRINITY arriving at CANAL. [FRANKLIN] askedVIDRINE about the tanker trucks, and VIDRINE advised he had made a deal withsomeone else to transport product from TRINITY because [FRANKLIN] didn’t wantto deal with it, with VIDRINE adding, “You didn’t want it.” Subsequently,[FRANKLIN] told VIDRINE that “You better cover your ass on this” by testing allthe loads from TRINITY before accepting any product from TRINITY.[FRANKLIN] told VIDRINE that the test results from samples taken at TRINITYwere over 1000 ppm for chlorinated solvents. [FRANKLIN] wanted to helpVIDRINE. VIDRINE told [FRANKLIN] that he would not touch or use the “black,flashy stuff”. CANAL accepted a lot of loads of product from TRINITY. . . .

Approximately one (1) month prior to the search of CANAL by FederalAgents, [FRANKLIN] sent VIDRINE color tubes so that VIDRINE could test theproducts CANAL received to ensure that the products did not exceed 1000 ppm totalhalogens. Prior to shipping the color tubes, [FRANKLIN] told VIDRINE to becareful about what he accepts because possessing waste that contained over 1000ppm is illegal. The color test kit is a field test to determine if a product contains over1000 ppm of total halogens. On one occasion, VIDRINE sent back to [FRANKLIN]a tanker of MTBE (Octane booster) because the product in the tanker did not pass thecolor tube test.

. . .


Of note, Agent Barnhill does not mention the John Broussard/Anti-Freeze Inc. explanation75

when testifying before the grand jury on August 11, 1999 (approximately eight months after thisinterview). Rather, she provides the following anecdote to the grand jury, which is not mentioned in anyof the 302s she generated following the Franklin interviews:

Q. But he [Franklin] asked Hubert Vidrine essentially what's going on, what’s theproblem here. And Hubert says words to the effect that he thinks the EPA hastold him that there may be some hazardous waste hidden in some of thepetroleum distillate that’s coming into Canal Refinery, is that correct?

A. That’s correct.

Q. And so Mike Franklin essentially asked him how that happened. And HubertVidrine speculated that maybe it was somebody's son whose -- oh, Aaron --

A. Aaron Hornsby's son.

Q. -- Aaron Hornsby's son may have planted hazardous waste in some of the tanksin the Canal Refinery, and that's the only way that that could have happened,right?

A. That's correct.

Q. He may have poisoned the well--

A. Right.

Q. --so to speak?

Now, later that day, there's another conversation. In fact, the conversation -- hecalls Hubert all afternoon, can't get through to him, and in fact, gets through tohim the next morning at 1:30 a.m., is that correct?

A. That's correct.

Q. And what is the -- the thrust of that conversation is is that he thinks Hornsby hasset him up, Aaron Hornsby, correct?

A. That's correct.

48

[FRANKLIN] telephonically spoke to VIDRINE the day after the executionof the Federal search warrant on CANAL. VIDRINE said that JOHN BROUSSARD,Management, ANTI-FREEZE INC., a chemical brokerage company, had sentCANAL some “bad stuff”. VIDRINE did not confirm that he bought the black,flashy product from TRINITY. VIDRINE told [FRANKLIN] that ANTI-FREEZEINC. had sold CANAL the bad product. 75


Q. Now, so that essentially is the thrust, the nitty-gritty of what Mike Franklin hassaid to you, is that correct?

A. That’s correct.

Ex. P006 at 000363-000365.

Again, Barnhill did not mention this explanation when testifying to the grand jury, but rather,76

she related solely the Aaron Hornsby story, which is not contained in any of her 302s.

Exhibit P014, pp.000483-000486 (Emphasis added). 77

49

. . . .

After the execution of the Federal search warrant and while VIDRINE wasstill employed with CANAL, [FRANKLIN] offered to buy Tank 402, separate thegood product from the bad product, and dispose of the product legally. This offerwas made to CANAL after [FRANKLIN’S] deal to buy CANAL fell through. . . .

[FRANKLIN] recalled that a company named DIAMOND M, which deals inused oil, had put product into Tank 402. [FRANKLIN] talked to HAROLDLANGDON, who said that VIDRINE bought bad product and that the bad productwas put into Tank 402.76

VIDRINE left CANAL in 1997 and thereafter bought a new company.Through this company, VIDRINE began to undersell [FRANKLIN], thereby taking[FRANKLIN’S] business. [FRANKLIN] no longer gets along well with VIDRINE.

As background, VIDRINE started out his employment with CANAL as awelder, moving up to quality control. When AARON HORNSBY was fired,VIDRINE took over as Refinery Manager at CANAL. VIDRINE had “carte blanche”of CANAL, which [FRANKLIN] estimated to be a 4.5 million dollar operation.77

This Court notes Agent Langlois, who was present at the initial Franklin interview, felt

Franklin added nothing to the investigation and was skeptical of the information Franklin provided,

because Franklin did not provide the test results upon which he relied. However, Agent Barnhill,

on the other hand, created a special agency relationship with Franklin, which allowed and required

her, according to FBI policy, to have complete control of all information, or lack thereof, that

Franklin provided. That information, for reasons discussed below, was funneled to and through the


Agent Barnhill testified she and Agent Phillips only “had sex” when they were working this78

case.

Phillips Vol. I, June 7, 2011, p. 52.79

Phillips Vol. I, June 7, 2011, p.44-4580

Phillips Vol. I, June 7, 2011, p. 51.81

Id. at 45, 48, The record reflects formal request to his EPA supervisors for prosecutorial82

assistance on Vidrine was not made until January 23, 2000, well after indictment had been returnedon Hubert Vidrine. See Ex. P0005.

50

agent in charge, newly minted EPA Agent Keith Phillips, with whom she became involved in an

illicit sexual affair beginning in 1996.78

Phillips testified that what Franklin brought to the case that Vikin never had was

“knowledge” on the part of Hubert Vidrine, yet Agent Langlois, who was present at the initial

Franklin interview, clearly disagreed. On January 4, 1999 - the day Phillips was assigned as the79

case agent of the investigation, Phillips learned about Agents Barnhill and Langlois’ interview of

Franklin, In contrast with Agent Langlois, Mike Franklin did resonate with Agent Phillips; in80

contrast with Agent Langlois, Agent Phillips found Mike Franklin to be extremely credible. Within

days of being assigned as the case agent to this investigation, this witness, whom the more

experienced agent found to be suspect, became Agent Phillips’ “key witness” in his pursuit of an

indictment and criminal prosecution of Hubert Vidrine. Agent Phillips testified that two days81

after taking over the investigation as the case agent, Agent Phillips verbally presented

Vidrine’s case to the United States’ Attorney’s Office suggesting prosecution of Vidrine. 82

When asked what he had learned within two days of being assigned to the case that he felt made it

appropriate to present the case to the AUSA for prosecution, particularly as Agents Vikin and

Langlois had believed there was insufficient evidence of probable cause to warrant a referral to the


Id. at 48-49.83

The Court notes the December 12, 1998 302 drafted by Agent Barnhill does not mention that84

McKenzie told Franklin that “John Broussard[] had expressed interest in purchasing all of the Trinityproduct.”

51

AUSA, Phillips responded, “would have been Mike Franklin’s testimony.” 83

Shortly after Agent Phillips became an investigator and was assigned as the lead case agent

to this investigation, he and Agent Barnhill re-interviewed Mike Franklin. Agent Barnhill’s 302,

dated January 22, 1999, reflects the following:

Subsequent to the sampling of product at TRINITY by [FRANKLIN],[FRANKLIN] advised MCKENZIE of the analytical report results as analyzed byPRECISION PETROLEUM LAB (PPL) , Houston, TX. Specifically, that some ofthe product at TRINITY tested over 1000 parts per million (ppm) for chlorinatedsolvents. [FRANKLIN] advised MCKENZIE that he, [FRANKLIN], still wanted topurchase some of TRINITY’s product, but not the product that tested over 1000 ppmfor chlorinated solvents. MCKENZIE advised he was looking for someone topurchase all of the product at TRINITY together, not separate. Additionally,MCKENZIE told [FRANKLIN] that another individual that TRINITY had beendoing business with in the past, JOHN BROUSSARD, had expressed interest inpurchasing all of the TRINITY product. MCKENZIE advised [FRANKLIN] that84

he would recontact [FRANKLIN] at a later date regarding the sale of product to[FRANKLIN]. [FRANKLIN] was not recontacted regarding the product at TRINITY.

Additionally, with the same analytic report from PPl, [FRANKLIN] contactedCHUCK MCCONNELL, CANAL, and advised that the “black, flashy stuff” assampled from TRINITY was “bad”, explaining to MCCONNELL that the lab resultsshowed a sample at TRINITY to contain over 1000 ppm of chlorinated solvents.MCCONNELL told [FRANKLIN], “I'll alert VIDRINE”, or words to that effect.Later, [FRANKLIN] phoned MCCONNELL and explained to MCCONNELL howto use the Chloro-Tech tubes, which are used to detect chlorinated halogens. Also,[FRANKLIN] provided a Blue Book to VIDRINE on Feed Stocks, which detailsinformation regarding chlorinated solvents.

After VIDRINE left his job at CANAL, he opened his own business, HIGHTIDE, located in Opelousas, LA . VIDRINE acted as a broker for this company.VIDRINE now operates a gas station in Opelousas.

When [FRANKLIN] offered to buy CANAL after the Federal search warrant,a document was generated at AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL REFINING


P014 at 000490-000491.85

Barnhill 6/13/11, at pp. 32-3386

The fact that Vidrine did not wish to deal directly with Broussard or AFI is not mentioned in87

the previous 302s.

52

CORPORATION regarding the price offered by [FRANKLIN] to CANAL. . . .CANAL did not sell to [FRANKLIN] .

Regarding Tank 402 located at CANAL, [FRANKLIN] was told byLANGDON, Vice-President of Marketing, CANAL, that the product in Tank 402was “ready to go”. This was told to [FRANKLIN] after the execution of the Federalsearch warrant on CANAL. 85

On July 19, 1999, Franklin was telephonically interviewed by Agent Barnhill. Her Report86

reflects the following:

[FRANKLIN], who is in a position to testify, provided the followinginformation.

. . . .

[FRANKLIN] received a telephone call in June/July, 1996, from HUBERTVIDRINE telling [FRANKLIN] to go to TRINITY MARINE (TRINITY) and checkon some product that TRINITY has available for sale. VIDRINE stated, “by the way,see if you can get your hands on the product from TRINITY”, or words to that effect.Additionally, VIDRINE did not want to have to deal with JOHNBROUSSARD/ANTI-FREEZE INC. (AFI) directly to transport the product fromTRINITY to CANAL.87

[FRANKLIN] thereafter called TRINITY and spoke with FREDMCKENZIE, the barge cleaning facility manager. MCKENZIE told [FRANKLIN]to come over to TRINITY. [FRANKLIN] arrive [sic] the next day prior to lunch andsubsequently took MCKENZIE and another TRINITY employee, ANDREWHANSON, to lunch. Upon return to TRINITY, the samples of the product which[FRANKLIN] was considering purchase of were already prepared. [FRANKLIN]advised that he would be back in touch with MCKENZIE in a few days upon receiptof the lab result of the samples. [FRANKLIN] thereafter took the samples andprovided the samples to a lab in Houston, TX, called PRECISIONPETROLEUM LAB (PPL).

When the sample analytical results were returned to [FRANKLIN] from


It should be noted, no such lab tests or results were ever produced, located or found to88

exist.

Of note, neither of Franklin’s prior 302s make any reference to a second sample being collected89

by Franklin. Additionally of interest, Franklin identified where the original sample came from, using anaerial photograph. However, in this 302, the original sample was provided to him when he returned fromlunch with McKenzie. Thus, it seems unlikely Franklin would have had personal knowledge of thelocation from which the sample was pulled. See also Testimony of Langlois, pp. 160-161, June 23, 2011.

On September 14, 1999, Agent Phillips testified to the grand jury:90

Mr. Franklin indicated to me that, in all probability, he didn't test it again. Hejust told -- Mr. Franklin's statement was, “Why should I test it again? I have faith in myanalytical. The stuff was contaminated. I told Mr. Vidrine again that it was hot. And Iprobably didn't actually test it the second time because I had faith in my first analytical.”

Ex. P033 at 39-40.

Recall that Franklin previously identified where a sample came from by using an aerial91

photograph at his first interview. See P014 at pp. 000483-000486.

53

PPL, [FRANKLIN] contacted TRINITY and spoke with HANSON. [FRANKLIN]88

advised HANSON that some of the samples were over the limit for halogens, andthat some of the samples showed good product. MCKENZIE did not return[FRANKLIN]'s call regarding the sample results.

Shortly thereafter, [FRANKLIN] went back out to TRINITY and watched asHANSON collected samples from the barge holds containing product. MCKENZIE89

did not come out to the barges while the samples were being taken but was aware that[FRANKLIN] was there because [FRANKLIN] had told MCKENZIE earlier in aphone conversation that he was coming out to take more samples. [FRANKLIN]thenleft and took the samples to PPL where they were analyzed. The analytical resultswere good on all the samples except one. [FRANKLIN] recalled that the bad90

product came from a barge hold that contained 50,000 gallons of product.[FRANKLIN] recalled the barge to be the “1st barge”, and the holding tank openingto be 6" from the deck of the barge. [FRANKLIN] could identify the location ifprovided a diagram of the TRINITY barges. The 50,000 figure was verbally91

provided by HANSON to [FRANKLIN].

[FRANKLIN], in trying to purchase all the product from TRINITY except thebad product, contacted MCKENZIE at MCKENZIE's residence. MCKENZIE told[FRANKLIN] to call back to TRINITY the following Monday. Sometimelater,[FRANKLIN] talked to MCKENZIE. [FRANKLIN] told MCKENZIE that[FRANKLIN] wanted all of the TRINITY product except the bad, contaminatedproduct. MCKENZIE replied that he already had someone who was going topurchase the whole lot, the good product and the bad product, adding, “why do I have


Of note, Franklin’s prior 302s do not indicate McKenzie told Franklin he “had someone to take92

care of the bad stuff.”

Again, this information is not contained in any of Franklin’s prior 302s. Additionally, when93

asked about this entry, Vidrine testified the only conversation he ever had with Franklin regarding“dilution” was in reference to “diluting gravity,” utilizing, for example, “Louisiana sweet crude,” for aheavier AFS that was inconsistent with what the refinery could run. Vidrine testimony, pp. 182-185, 188,June 20, 2011.

54

to deal with you”, or words to that effect. [FRANKLIN] told MCKENZIE that theproduct was “hot”, that it was over the limit for halogens. MCKENZIE replied thathe had someone to take care of the bad stuff.92

[FRANKLIN] thereafter contacted CANAL and spoke to VIDRINE.[FRANKLIN] advised VIDRINE that [FRANKLIN] wanted to buy the product fromTRINITY for CANAL, but that not all of the product was good. [FRANKLIN]advised VIDRINE that some of the sampled product was determined throughlaboratory analysis to be over the limits for halogens. VIDRINE asked [FRANKLIN]if [FRANKLIN] was sure that [FRANKLIN] did not want to take all of the productat TRINITY, both the good and the bad product. VIDRINE stated that maybe he,VIDRINE, could dilute it with other product at CANAL or mix it with somethingelse. [FRANKLIN] advised that diluting or mixing the bad product was not a93

solution. VIDRINE responded, “Well, if you can’t do it ...ok”, or words to thateffect.

. . . .

[FRANKLIN], who was doing business as a broker with POWER TRADINGCORPORATION (POWER TRADING), was working in partnership with JOHNAUTENREITH. When the second set of analytical results were returned to[FRANKLIN]/POWER TRADING, AUTENREITH sent to CANAL/VIDRINEsome testing tubes that would assist in identifying bad product containing halogens.It was explained to VIDRINE that for his own protection, every truck needed to betested for halogens prior to being accepted by CANAL.

[FRANKLIN] made contact with VIDRINE on a daily basis, sometimes asoften as 3 or 4 times per day. [FRANKLIN] sold most of CANAL's refined products.VIDRINE had, at some point, advised [FRANKLIN] that he, VIDRINE, was goingto try to save CANAL money by buying cheap feedstock and selling high. Therefinery was going to be closed down if it did not show a profit.

About one (1) or two (2) weeks prior to the execution of the Federal searchwarrant on CANAL, [FRANKLIN] contacted VIDRINE because [FRANKLIN] hadlearned that VIDRINE had accepted a tanker of product from TRINITY. VIDRINEtold [FRANKLIN] that he, VIDRINE, had to buy the product from TRINITY,


Again, this information is not contained in any of Franklin’s previous 302s.94

The facsimile, purportedly showing the results of the two sets of test results Franklin claimed to95

have done (but told Agent Phillips he actually, likely only tested one sample) was not found during theexecution of the search warrant on Canal, nor at any other time, even to this day. Phillips Trial Tr. vol II,350-351.

This Court notes no such facsimiles were ever found as a result of the search warrants executed96

at Canal or Trinity, and indeed, no evidence was presented by the government to establish this statementwas ever verified by McKenzie.

Ex. P014 at 000492-000494 (emphasis added). This portion of Franklin’s information is in97

contradiction to Vidrine’s testimony. Vidrine testified Franklin owed him money.

55

adding, “we’re just going to try it out”, or words to that effect. VIDRINE advised[FRANKLIN] that, “we have tested it out and it was not over 1000 parts permillion (ppm)”, or words to that effect.94

[FRANKLIN] stated that he had previously faxed to VIDRINE the PPLanalytical results of both the first and second sets of samples from TRINITY. 95

Additionally, [FRANKLIN] had faxed the same analytical results to MCKENZIE.However, [FRANKLIN] does not know if MCKENZIE read the fax.[FRANKLIN]reiterated that he/she had verbally advised MCKENZIE that theanalytical results of the samples as received from TRINITY were over the limits forhalogens and therefor unacceptable.96

[FRANKLIN] advised that his/her relationship with VIDRINE had a “bitterend”. VIDRINE had lost his job at CANAL. [FRANKLIN] advised VIDRINE toopen up his own business and . . . [FRANKLIN] would help VIDRINE get started inbrokering products. Approximately one (1) week later, around 11/97,[FRANKLIN]found out that VIDRINE had taken over [FRANKLIN]'s own accounts. At that point,the relationship ended between [FRANKLIN] and VIDRINE. [FRANKLIN] statedthat he/she paid VIDRINE all monies that was owed and they ended the relationshipon even money terms.97

(2) The Unraveling of the Franklin Story

The following exchange between plaintiffs’ counsel and Keith Phillips is illustrative of the

limited value of the information Mike Franklin provided to Agents Phillips and Barnhill:

Q: [T]he first subject matter ... The first is going to be whether or not even ifFranklin’s testimony had been admissible, even if you had been able to use Franklin’stestimony at trial, would you have with that have, had probable cause to go forward,all right? That’s the first subject.


56

. . . .

A: It's the subject matter of Mike Franklin's analytical [i.e., alleged test results fromalleged samples taken from Trinity].

Q: Okay. And your testimony that you told the Grand Jury you had them, and itturned out you didn't really have them, right?

A: Correct.

. . . .

Q: (By Mr. Cornwell) Even if you could have gotten the Franklin story into a trial,even if it had not been excluded because of its hearsay nature, even if you would havefound the Franklin lab reports which you never did, would you even under thosecircumstances have had probable cause to indict or continue this prosecution? That'sthe question.

A: Yes, we would.

Q: Okay. Then I want to go through that answer and ask you some pointed questionsabout it. We've already established that the Franklin allegation was that onecompartment of the Kentucky barge contained over a thousand parts per million ofchlorinated solvents, right?

A: Correct.

Q: And that he took several, allegedly took several samples, right?

A: Yes.

. . . .

Q: (By Mr. Cornwell) If you look at [Exhibit P014 - the 302s of Mike Franklin, at]Bates stamp 484 with the FBI number 13 on the right-hand lower corner.

. . . .

Q: (By Mr. Cornwell) Okay. You see it says, “Results of the tests showed one of thesampled products to be over a thousand. . .” And the next paragraph, “Franklininformed McKenzie in person that one of the sampled products tested over athousand. . . .”

A: Okay.


57

. . . .

Q: All right. So what we're dealing with is a story told to you by Franklin and forprobable cause purposes we're just going to go along as if it were the truth, okay. Sowhat he said was that he had in effect, evidence that there was something somewhereon the premises of Trinity Marine with over a thousand parts of chlorinated solventsin it, right?

A: Yes.

Q: And you believed that, right?

A: I had no reason not to.

. . . .

Q: [I]t was a potential, but only a possibility because Franklin did not even professto know whether the contents of that compartment had ever been shipped to Trinity[sic], did he?

A: No, I do not believe he did.

Q: Okay. He knew nothing about the specific shipments from Trinity to Canal, didhe - - Franklin, Franklin didn’t, did he?

A: No.

Q: [W]hen did Franklin say that he took a sample of one compartment and found itwas over a thousand?

A: I believe that he said it was summer of '96.

Q: [T]here are reports reflecting that you-all thought, from what he was saying, itmight have been June or July, somewhere in there, right?

A: That's correct.

. . . .

Q: You remember you helped Parker [the AUSA] prepare the Bill of Particulars,right?

A: Yes.


58

Q: We've already established that. And then we already looked at them, and theAugust 13 was the earliest date. Does that now come back to mind?th

A: That sounds right?

. . . .

Q: So even if you had ever obtained a test result from the compartment, whatever itwas that Franklin got his alleged thousand parts per million from, that samecompartment may or may not have contained the same product a month or maybetwo months later when the first alleged shipment from Trinity to Canal occurred,right?

A: Yes, . . . .

. . . .

Q: [N]ow, in fact, we also know that, again, just going on what Franklin said, whileone compartment contained over a thousand, there certainly were other compartmentsin the same barge that did not -- excuse me - - that did not contain a thousand partsper million, right?

A: Yes.

. . . .

Q: [E]ven the defendants’ lawyers readily admitted that Trinity had hazardous wasteon its property, right?

A: I believe they did . . . .

. . . .

Q: [A]nd in fact they admitted that Trinity had a permit to process and dispose of orget rid of, in other words, to handle and deal with appropriately under the regulationshazardous waste. They had a hazardous waste permit didn't they?

. . . .

Q: Okay. And they also sold used oil from Kentucky barge's 1S and 1P tanks toCanal for feedstock. Do you see that?

. . . .


59

A: That’s what it states.

. . . .

Q: The materials sent for re-refining, meaning sent to Canal, came from 1S and 1P,right?

A: That's what it states.

Q: Okay. And they point out that not only did they believe this was nonhazardouswaste, but they point out that the government never tested 1S and 1P to refute theirallegations. Is that accurate?

A: As far as I know. Ivan Vikin was the case agent at that point in time, but I do notbelieve we ever tested the tanks.

Q: I'm talking about the prosecution you were in charge for from January 4 of 1999,through September of 2003. Surely you know the answer to that question in light ofthe fact that was your case?

A: It was in 1999, but the reference here is 1996.

Q: I understand, sir, but your case was based on what Franklin said happened in1996, and your indictment of Vidrine was based on shipments from Trinity fromAugust 13 to September 4, 1996. So are you saying because it occurred in 1996 youdon't know the answer to my question?

. . . .

A: Yes. I thought I said, as far as I know, we didn't sample that.

. . . .

Q: [M]y understanding from all the documents I've seen, at least, is that you-allthought the over a thousand part lab test that Franklin said he had came from 4P, andfurthermore in response to the judge's question that this eating problem where oneof the compartments had become corroded and it began over time to have littleperforations in it and some exchange of product went through those little holes, thatwas also down at that time same end of the barge where 4P is, wasn't it?

A: I believe that's correct.

Q: Okay. So what we have here is both a Franklin story and this corrosion problemyou're talking about occurring at one end of this huge barge and the Trinity people


Phillips Trial Tr. vol. III, 465-466, 468-474, 478-479, 480-482, 486, June 9, 2011.98

Exhibit D17 at 127.99

60

saying, we shipped Canal the petroleum distillates out of the total other end of thebarge, 1S and 1P; isn't that true? That's what they said. That's what the Trinitylawyers said?

A: If that's in the document. Then, I agree.. . . .

THE COURT: I understood you to just have testified that Mr. Franklin at no timetold you that he, Mr. Franklin, knew whether or not any materials were shipped toTrinity [sic] that, in fact, had come from the compartment where he allegedly tookthese samples; is that right?

A: Yes.

THE COURT: So Franklin did not tell you that the materials which he allegedlysampled in fact went to [Canal]. He didn't know.

. . . .

WITNESS: That's correct. 98

Consequently, this Court finds, the evidence presented clearly indicates the Franklin samples,

even if presumed to exist, were not pulled from the same hold that contained the product ultimately

sent to Canal - or even from a hold where cross-contamination likely would or could have occurred.99

Furthermore, assuming arguendo that Franklin actually had tested samples of Trinity product on two

occasions, and assuming the samples Franklin tested came from the same hold as the product sent

to Canal, and assuming that one of those samples contained more than the allowable amount of total

halogens, the evidence establishes it is unlikely the product from which those samples were taken

was the same product which was some one to three months later, sold to Canal and ultimately

became the subject of the indictment. Furthermore, Mr. Vidrine’s undisputed testimony at trial was

that Tank 402 – where product such as that obtained from Trinity would have been placed - had been


June 20, 2011, pp. 152-154. Mr. Vidrine testified Canal had “done a run. . . in the beginning of100

August and emptied the tank,” and on August 13 , Canal was preparing “the next batch that was beingth

filled up to run.”

P014 at 000483; furthermore, again, all sampling actually presented showed the product at101

Canal to have been beneath the 1000 ppm threshold limit.

Id. at 000492.102

Id. at 000493.103

D64 at USA01016.104

61

completely drained as of August 13, 1999 (i.e. at least one month after Franklin had allegedly

collected samples from Trinity for testing). Consequently, this Court finds whatever was in Tank100

402 for which Hubert Vidrine was indicted, would not have been the same product Mike Franklin

allegedly sampled, as Mike Franklin’s alleged samples from Trinity predated August 13, 1996 by

a minimum of one month, and Tank 402 was drained one month after any such product was sampled.

Furthermore, according to the Bill of Particulars, Canal stored “hazardous waste” received

from Trinity from August 13, 1996 (the date the tank was drained) until September 4, 1996.

According to Franklin’s 302s, the first sample he claimed he received of Trinity product which he

claimed was over the limit for total halogens was in “early 1996” ; when Franklin was re-101

interviewed some seven months later, Agent Barnhill wrote in her report that the testing was in June

or July of 1996 ; according to Franklin’s 302s, the barge hold from which the bad product came102

contained 50,000 gallons of product. According to Andrew Hanson of Trinity Marine, the holds103

for used oil ranged from a 40,000 gallon capacity up to 80,000 gallons. Hanson told Agents104

Barnhill and Phillips that Canal would receive approximately 2 truckloads a day of Trinity’s product,

5 to 6 days per week, with each truck containing 7,000 gallons of product. At that rate, it seems

unlikely that the product Franklin allegedly tested in either "early 1996" or " June/July 1996" was


P014at 000494.105

Although the test results of the samples taken at Trinity on September 30, 1996, showed the106

product to contain less than 1000 ppm chlorinated solvents, Agent Phillips focused his testimony on thepresence of benzene in the product, which would only have been a violation had the product fallen underthe hazardous waste regulations, rather than the used oil regulations. Moreover, when testifying aboutthe lab reports of the samples taken at Trinity, Agent Phillips was asked: “Of the test reports that youdiscussed with Ms. Gutierrez in D6, which of these came from the compartment or compartments thatwere shipped to Canal?” Phillips responded, “I can’t answer that.” He was then asked, “And it’sbecause the EPA in the course of this investigation never was able to answer that; isn’t that true? Inother words you can’t answer it because the EPA never answered it, right?”, Mr. Phillips answered,“That’s true.” June 13, 2011 at 115-116; June 10, 2011 at pp. 83, 111-112.

Agent Phillips, along with EPA technical and regulatory expert Tidmore, at best, obfuscated,107

and at worst, falsified a verification made under oath and filed in this Court concerning these samples - amatter remaining before this Court on plaintiffs’ request for sanctions.

62

the same product that Canal purchased and stored after August 13, 1996 – the date Tank 402 was

drained – to September 4, 1996.

Additionally, according to Barnhill, Mr. Vidrine told Franklin that Canal had the Trinity

product tested before it was accepted by Canal, and it was under 1000 ppm total halogens ; the105

samples which were taken by Trinity as soon as they learned of the search warrant at Canal were all

under 1000 ppm total halogens ; the samples taken by the government from the tanker containing106

Trinity material at Canal on the day of the search warrant were under 1000 ppm total halogens; and

the samples taken by the government from Tank 402 on the day of the search warrant were under

1000 ppm total halogens. No tests or test results verifying or corroborating the alleged Franklin107

samples and results were ever found to exist; to the contrary, all samples presented contradicted the

unsupported Franklin allegations.

Finally, even if one were to assume Mike Franklin took samples of the same product from

the same hold at Trinity that contained the product ultimately sent to Canal and that that product

made its way into Tank 402 after it had been drained on August 13, 1996, and even if one were to


63

assume Tank 402 was not drained as of August 13, 1996, and even if one were to assume Franklin’s

sampled product remained in Tank 402 for a minimum of two to three months (i.e. the time between

the latest date Franklin stated he took samples and the alleged storage events), and even if one were

to assume Franklin’s lab results showed that the product had tested above 1000 ppm for total

halogens, one cannot escape the fact that notwithstanding Agent Phillips assertion, Mike Franklin

had no personal knowledge of any knowing violation on the part of Hubert Vidrine.

When asked about this at trial, Agent Phillips testified:

THE COURT: What, if anything, did Mr. Franklin tell you that wouldindicate that if he, in fact, did not know whether or not any of the shipments thatwent to Canal were in fact adulterated or contained over the 1,000 parts per million,that in fact Mr. Vidrine knew that.

A: It was Mr. Franklin's position that Fred McKenzie [manager of Trinity] had toldhim.

THE COURT: Told whom.

A: Told Mr. Franklin that, if you want the material here on the Trinity, you have totake the good with the bad.

. . . .

THE COURT: [W]hat, if anything, did Franklin say that would have led you tobelieve that Vidrine knew that he had gotten product that was over the 1,000 parts permillion because that was the problem that Franklin had told you about, not any TCL,or toxicity characteristics, but thousand parts per million.

A: Correct.

. . . .

A: He [Franklin] told Vidrine that Fred McKenzie told me to take - - I could - - if Iwanted the good, I had to take the bad, and so I walked away from it.

THE COURT: So I walked away from it.

A: He didn't try to broker the material.


Testimony established the Trinity product in question, which went to Canal, was not brokered108

by John Broussard.

64

THE COURT: Okay. So at this point, we still don't have anything going to Canal.

A: No.

THE COURT: When did that change?

A: When that material [from Trinity] started coming into Canal which was brokeredby John Broussard?108

. . . .

A: Franklin learned of that and questioned Mr. Vidrine, “Why are you taking this?I told you that if you took the good you had to take the bad.” Vidrine's response toFranklin was, “We're only taking the good.”

THE COURT: Okay, so my question to you then is, what, if anything, did Franklintell you that showed that Vidrine knew he was getting the bad?

THE WITNESS: That's - - that's what we had.

THE COURT: Really. So you had - - Franklin did not tell you that he had toldVidrine -- THE WITNESS: Oh he did.

THE COURT: Please listen - - that he had told Vidrine that, in fact, the materialsfrom Trinity, all the materials or the materials that you're getting would beadulterated, correct? He didn't tell him that.

THE WITNESS: No.

THE COURT: Franklin did not say that McKenzie told Vidrine, correct, that it wasadulterated, or it was going to be over a thousand parts per million, correct?

THE WITNESS: That's correct.

THE COURT: McKenzie didn't say he had told Vidrine that, that you had to take thegood with bad, correct?

THE WITNESS: No.


Phillips Trial Tr. vol. III, 486-491, June 9, 2011. (emphasis added).109

65

THE COURT: So far we have nobody telling Vidrine that, and when - - whatFranklin did tell you is that, when Franklin was - - when Franklin allegedly askedVidrine, when another broker had been able to cut a deal, whatever that deal was,“Why are you taking it; I told you we had to get the good with the bad,” Vidrine'sresponse was, “No, our deal is, we only got the good.” Is that what you're telling me?

THE WITNESS: That's what I'm telling you.

THE COURT: And in a nutshell that's what you had to show knowledge on the partof Vidrine that he was getting - - that he knowingly was receiving and storinghazardous waste?

THE WITNESS: That was not the only. The other issue is the reputation of bargecleaning facilities, as I discussed yesterday, that the industry knew, as a rule –

THE COURT: I'm not interested in the industry at this point. I'm interested in Mr.Vidrine.

THE WITNESS: Mr. Vidrine should have known that barge cleaning operationsproduce adulterated material.

THE COURT: Why?

THE WITNESS: It was common knowledge in his industry and alternatefeedstocks.109

Thus, even Phillips admitted at trial that Franklin had not provided evidence of Vidrine’s

actual knowledge, as would be required under the criminal statute for which Mr. Vidrine was

indicted. Furthermore, as of at least March 3, 2000, Phillips, the government’s lead investigator, was

aware the samples taken by the government from Tank 402 at Canal on the date of the search warrant

did not corroborate Franklin’s assertions, as those samples were far beneath the 1000 ppm threshold

level.

(3) Additional Credibility Issues re: Franklin

Of particular relevance to this Court is the fact that in none of Agent Barnhill’s reports to her


When asked about these omissions at trial, Agent Barnhill testified as follows:110

THE COURT: [I]t strikes me as odd that someone who approaches things that way with thatmind-set that you have illustrated here, would not have made a note in the 302, “does nothave actual reports,” “looking for them.”

THE WITNESS: I agree, it is not in my 302, but as I said, it was certainly not anomission on my part to be deceptive or to be anything else. It just was not documented. I don't – I didn't not document it. It just was not documented. As I look back, it shouldhave been, and there's no reason why it should not have been documented. I easilyconcur that as a - - it should have been documented.

Barnhill Trial Tr. vol. II, p. 98, June 14, 2011 (emphasis added).

66

supervisors, nor in any of the 302s she drafted reflecting her interviews of Mike Franklin, does Agent

Barnhill mention that Mike Franklin, whom the government agents considered to be their key

witness, had failed to provide the lab reports upon which the case turned, nor that a plethora of

subpoenas had failed to produce any such lab reports. Agent Barnhill testified that although it was110

her custom to include all negative information in her 302s, she inexplicably did not do so with

Franklin, on any matter.

Phillips’ notes and reports, like Barnhill’s, were also devoid of any mention of Mike Franklin

and the problems associated with this “key witness.” In point of fact, Phillips’ documents were

devoid of any mention whatsoever of Mike Franklin. Although Agent Phillips testified his omission

was the result of the unique agency relationship created by Agent Barnhill between the FBI and Mike

Franklin, a fact Agent Barnhill corroborated and Agent Langlois affirmed, both Agent Phillips and

Agent Langlois testified verbal reports should have been provided. The government presented no

witness or evidence, beyond Phillips unsubstantiated assertion, of any such verbal reports, nor any

evidence that notice of Franklin or his credibility problems was provided to Phillips’ supervisor.

Thus, there is no evidence that Agents Barnhill or Phillips ever indicated to their superiors the


Furthermore, no evidence was presented to establish the inherent weaknesses of the Franklin111

story were every conveyed to the AUSA prosecuting the case, rather, the evidence is to the contrary. The302s of Franklin, prepared by Barnhill, admittedly with Phillips’ help and input, appear to have beenphysically kept from the AUSA, as the AUSA requested Agent Barnhill and Phillips bring the Franklin

302s to a meeting as late as February 26, 2002. Ex. P028 at 000756.

Agent Barnhill eventually testified before this Court, that there was some question in her mind112

as to whether the Franklin conversation was actually memorialized by a phone log, which was ultimatelyprovided to agents. The phone log only shows calls to Canal; no substantive information is containedtherein. Regardless, Barnhill failed to document yet again, yet another failure by Franklin to support hisassertions.

P019 at 000642; see also id. at 000601-000609, 000618-000626, 000643; Phillips’ Trial Tr.113

vol. III, p. 542, June 9, 2011.

67

inherent escalating proof of the weakness of the Franklin story.111

Agent Barnhill testified Mike Franklin told her during an interview that he had notes of a

conversation he had with Vidrine - a conversation Barnhill, Phillips and the government argue is

pivotal to a finding of knowledge on the part of Vidrine. Barnhill testified Franklin told her he

would fax his notes of that conversation to her. However, some seven days later, when Agent

Barnhill ultimately drafted the 302 memorializing that interview, Franklin had still not sent the

promised notes to Barnhill. More troubling is the fact that information regarding Franklin’s

statement that he had notes of a conversation with Vidrine showing knowledge on the part of

Vidrine, as well as Franklin’s failure to send a copy of those notes to Agent Barnhill, is mysteriously

missing from Agent Barnhill’s 302. Again, this is yet another failure by Mike Franklin to deliver

corroboration of his allegations, another example of the indifference of the government to that fact

during the investigation and prosecution of Hubert Vidrine, and another example of the only

reporting agent’s failure to report Franklin’s inability to corroborate his alleged information to the

very supervisors who were to oversee the investigation. 112

Additionally, Mike Franklin had an eighteen year cocaine habit , a history of psychiatric113


Exh. P013, P019. Additionally, it was indicated at trial that Mike Franklin may have been114

receiving assistance from the FBI on certain legal proceedings against him, as well as other matters ofinterest to the FBI in light of his special relationship with the FBI. However, no direct evidence waspresented on this point.

68

treatment, several arrests involving narcotics, and had had several liens filed against him. This

information was available to Phillips throughout much of the investigation. Agent Barnhill’s114

302s and reports to her superiors fail to document any of this information, and as noted,

Agent Phillips’ reports were devoid of any mention of his self proclaimed key witness.

It should be noted Agent Phillips and Agent Barnhill also knew Mike Franklin held a grudge

against Hubert Vidrine, as Mr. Vidrine had become a direct competitor of Franklin’s and had taken

business from Franklin. Barnhill’s 302s reflect that in 1997, after Vidrine left Canal, Vidrine began

to undersell Franklin, thereby taking some of Franklin’s business. Additionally, in contrast to that

which Franklin told agents, Vidrine testified Franklin did owe him money from some business deals

they had done together when Vidrine first started his own brokerage business.

Also, after the execution of the federal search warrant at Canal and its negative impact upon

Canal, yet while Vidrine was still employed by Canal, Franklin attempted to purchase Canal. When

he was unable to obtain the financing, he then offered to buy Tank 402, separate “the good product”

from “the bad product,” and dispose of the product legally. In other words, Franklin offered to

“make a deal” similar to that which he had allegedly walked away from previously, he attempted to

purchase a weakened Canal, and he saw Vidrine as a competitor.

On January 23, 2001, following a hearing presenting the problems and absences in the

Franklin story, the presiding judge in the criminal case barred Franklin’s testimony – a development

the AUSA characterized as a “mortal wound.” Yet again, this information is not reported by Agent

Barnhill at all, and not reported by Agent Phillips until seven months later. Nevertheless, the


Specifically, on September 14, 1999 (the second time Agent Phillips testified to the grand jury115

in this matter), he testified as follows:

Q All right. So he had the material tested. And the Grand Jury has subpoenaed therecords from the lab that he sent it to be tested to?

A Yes, sir.

Q And you've reviewed those records for the Grand Jury's benefit. And thoselab results are, essentially, what?

A They indicate that the material, at least, in part, was contaminated with

69

prosecution of Hubert Vidrine continued in vain in its continuing failed attempt to locate Franklin’s

fictitious lab reports, which had not surfaced in the three years since agents had first contacted

Franklin. In a last ditch effort to locate the phantom reports, on August 21, 2003, the government

hypnotized Mike Franklin. The information Franklin provided under hypnosis, like most other

information he provided, bore no fruit. The reports were never located; evidence of their existence

was never found; information given could not be verified.

(4) Phillips Testimony regarding Franklinbefore the Grand Jury

First, one cannot lose sight of the fact that Mike Franklin never testified before the grand

jury. Rather, at the first grand jury hearing held on July 14, 1999, Keith Phillips conveyed what he

chose as the primary points of the Mike Franklin narrative to the grand jury, notwithstanding Phillips

had not been present at the initial Franklin interview. However at the September grand jury session,

Agent Phillips went even further, in describing that which he selected from the Franklin story. On

this occasion, Agent Phillips, while under oath, testified falsely to the grand jury on the central

damning point: he testified to the grand jury that he had reviewed Franklin’s reports (which were

never found), and Franklin’s reports showed the Trinity product “contained chlorinated solvents”

(neglecting to mention Franklin actually said “over 1000 ppm chlorinated solvents.” 115


chlorinated solvents?

Ex. P033 at 148. (emphasis added). One must also note not only had Agent Phillips not seen Franklin’slab results, but also that in every 302 of Franklin, the sampled product is described as containing over1000 ppm chlorinated solvents (in other words, Franklin is discussing the used oil regulations), but AgentPhillips testifies the product showed the presence of chlorinated solvents (in other words, Agent Phillipschanged Franklin’s testimony to use language falling under the hazardous waste regulations).

P018 at 000549, 000554.116

Agent Phillips testified he did not think he asked Franklin about the subpoenaed reports before117

he testified falsely to the grand jury in July, but he was not certain; however, he admitted that it wouldhave been the prudent thing to do. June 8, 2011, pp. 124-125; June 13, 2011 at p.111. Agent Barnhilltestified she and Agent Phillips did meet with Franklin and asked Franklin about the subpoenaed labresults prior to Agent Phillips’ false testimony, and Franklin advised both agents the lab reports they hadobtained were not the pertinent reports. June 14, 2011 at p. 49.

At his December appearance before the grand jury, Agent Phillips testified as follows:118

Q And you've obtained the samples -- the test results of what Mike Franklin took inthe summer of 1996. They came back positive for chlorinated solvents, correct?

A That is correct.

Ex. P033 at 196. (emphasis added).

70

As of August 11, 1999, Agent Phillips had numerous lab reports in his possession, obtained

by way of grand jury subpoena, from Precision Petroleum Labs, the lab to which Franklin said he

had sent the Trinity samples to be tested, as well as from other potential labs. Prior to the116

September 1999 grand jury session, Agents Phillips and Barnhill met with Franklin to review the

subpoenaed test results, and, according to Agent Barnhill, Franklin advised the agents the

subpoenaed test results were not the lab reports of the samples at issue. Nevertheless, on117

December 14, 1999, Agent Phillips testified falsely for a second time to the grand jury, again

claiming to have seen the Franklin test results, and again, stating the reports showed Trinity’s

product was “contaminated with chlorinated solvents.”118

At trial of this matter, Agent Phillips attempted to explain his behavior by stating he had


71

thought the reports obtained by subpoena from PPL were the Franklin reports. Agent Phillips

testified:

A: I do not remember when we first asked him for those lab reports.

Q: Do you remember that he, at least, was asked for it one or more times before yousent out Grand Jury subpoenas?

A: I know in my, I guess it was, July 1999 Grand Jury testimony that we believed wehad them. We had an analytical from Petroleum Precision Laboratory which . . . I .. . believed to be the analytical data.

. . . .

THE COURT: Uh-huh. And when did you realize it wasn't [the Franklin labreport]?

A: At some point Michael Franklin himself pointed out that was not the rightanalytical data. It would have been sometime after the Grand Jury testimony.

THE COURT: You didn't show it to your witness, Mr. Franklin, before he went into testify before the Grand Jury about this lab report? You didn't show him thepurported lab report and talk with him about it before you sent him into the GrandJury?

A: We did not send him into the Grand Jury.

THE COURT: He did not testify?

A: No, ma'am.

THE COURT: Well, you testified there?

A: Yes, ma'am.

THE COURT: About something you had not asked him about as to whether thesewere the lab reports?

A: I do not remember if we asked him or not, Your Honor.

THE COURT: No I'm asking whether you asked him.

A: I don't know.


72

THE COURT: You were the one who was going before the Grand Jury and underoath.

A: Correct.

THE COURT: Were testifying to what you had personal knowledge thereof?

A: Absolutely.

THE COURT: And you, I'm assuming, testified as to the existence of those reportsto the Grand Jury, correct.

A: That's correct.

THE COURT: Uh-huh. And you could not have, in fact, seen the actual lab reportsbecause they were never found, right.

A: We had -- no.

THE COURT: Right?

A: Yes.

THE COURT: And what you thought you had you went and testified about withouttalking to Mr. Franklin about it?

A: I do not remember if we talked to him or not.

THE COURT: Well, that raises the next point. If you talked to him about it andshowed it to him, it would seem he would have told you these are not the right onesbecause you are telling me he said that at some point in time.

A: Yes, ma'am, that's correct.

THE COURT: Uh-huh. And if you showed it to him and he said they were the rightones, that would be a whole 'nother issue.

A: That's correct.

THE COURT: So you're telling this Court that these documents that never -- itturned out they never existed, but that there were some "analyticals" that you aretelling this Court you believed to be the Franklin documents.

A: That's correct.


Phillips Trial Tr. vol. II, pp. 343-347, June 8, 2011.119

Phillips Trial Tr. vol. II, pp. 386-388, June 8, 2011.120

73

THE COURT: You went and testified under oath before the Grand Jury without everhaving spoken to Franklin and asked him about those documents and what theymeant, where they were, are these the right ones. You don't remember.

A: I do not remember the chronology of events leading up to that.

THE COURT: But do you agree with me that you have now said that Mr. Franklinat some point told you, no, those aren't the right ones. Correct?

A: That is correct.

THE COURT: It would seem to be a reasonable presumption, then, or a reasonableinference you didn't ask him about those before you went to the Grand Jury or hewould have told you then, unless there's something I'm missing. Please enlighten theCourt if possible.

A: I would have to say you're correct.

. . . .

THE COURT: Yeah. And you went in and testified about something asserting youhad personal knowledge of it when in fact you did not, yes?

A: It would appear so.119

This Court notes upon review of the lab reports Agent Phillips referenced, that even a cursory review

by the most unseasoned rookie would have shown the proclaimed error. Agent Phillips testified after

he had received the subpoenaed reports, there were two which he thought were the pertinent Franklin

reports. However, even the briefest of reviews would have shown one of the two reports Phillips

referenced did not show the sampled product to contain over 1000 ppm total halogens as Franklin

had alleged, and the other was of a sample taken after the time frame for which Mr. Vidrine was

indicted. Hence, on their face, neither could have been mistaken for the absent Franklin

reports. Furthermore, even if the Court accepts Phillips prior testimony that at the September120


It should be noted the statute of limitations has run as to any perjured testimony Phillips might121

have given the grand jury.

74

grand jury session he had not had sufficient time to review the subpoenaed documents, setting aside

the recklessness of such a statement in a court of law, he nevertheless had more than three months

to review those documents prior to the December grand jury session – yes still made the same

“mistake.”

This Court, for the reasons noted above and those which follow, finds Agent Phillips wholly

without credibility in toto on any matter before this Court, but in particular on this point – the

documents, on their face belie Agent Phillips’ testimony. This Court finds, based upon the evidence

presented in this case, including Agent Phillips’ testimony, that Agent Phillips’ grand jury testimony

likely raised the specter of perjury not once, but on two separate occasions: (1) his testimony before

the Grand Jury in September 1999, when he testified he had seen the Franklin test results, and

testified as to the contents and results of the non-existent reports, when in fact he had not; and (2)

his testimony before the grand jury on December 14, 1999, when he, again, testified he had in hand

and had reviewed the Franklin test results when, in fact, he had not. And again, Agent Barnhill

testified Franklin had previously advised the agents the argued reports were not the reports to which

he had alluded.121

Agent Phillips testified he was mistaken when testifying before the grand jury, a fact he

realized only after testifying to the grand jury. However, this Court found that particular testimony

to be wholly without credibility, and not supported by the record. Furthermore, this Court finds

Agent Phillips’ failure to verify his assumptions with Mike Franklin when Franklin was readily

available, is at best, illustrative of reckless disregard, or at worst, intentional disregard for the oath

he took as an EPA agent and the oath he took before the grand jury.


Phillips Trial Tr. vol. I, p. 51, June 7, 2011. (Agent Phillips testified on more than one122

occasion that this was the manner in which he handled the Vidrine investigation and prosecution.)

75

ii. Conclusion of that which the Franklin information addedto the prosecution

Mike Franklin was a broker within this peculiar niche (the buying and selling of alternative

feedstock) of the oil industry. He was a salesman, in competition with other salesmen, in the pursuit

of a finite product in a shrinking market. By the time Mike Franklin came on the radar of law

enforcement agents investigating this matter, he had already become a competitor of, and lost the

competition, to Hubert Vidrine.

Had the AUSA had been given all the facts by Phillips and Barnhill (both good and bad, and

excluding half-truths), or had the 302s been more complete and timely provided to the AUSA, and

had a reasonable interpretation of the applicable regulations been provided to the AUSA and the

grand jury by Phillips, and had Agent Phillips testified truthfully to the grand jury, this Court finds

a very different result likely would have ensued: Hubert Vidrine would not have been indicted. For

reasons that will never be known by anyone other than Agent Phillips, Agent Phillips was not

content to merely “gather the facts and let the facts themselves either support or not support the

indictment” as he testified one should do. Rather, Agent Phillips, either deliberately, or with122

reckless disregard for the truth, provided false testimony to the grand jury in order to secure an

indictment against Hubert Vidrine, on at least two occasions, and permeated the entire investigation

with omissions, half-truths, overstatements, inflammatory language, misstatements, patent

falsehoods, and tortured readings of regulations.

The facts, themselves, did not change; the law, itself, did not change. What changed was

Phillips’ ability to continue to hide his “over speaking,” his “misleading,” his false testimony to the


Agent Langlois suspected Franklin lacked credibility even without conducting further123

investigation.

Franklin’s presence at Canal on the day of the search provided him the opportunity to hear124

much of that which transpired during Hubert Vidrine’s interviews, and thus provided him with theinformation and a roadmap to take out a competitor - Hubert Vidrine - in a shrinking market, and create apossible business opportunity - i.e. his attempt to purchase the same product once Vidrine and Canalwere removed, and the opportunity to purchase the decimated refinery, itself. However, it is also apossibility that Franklin simply provided whatever information he thought the agents wanted to curryfavor in connection with his own legal problems.

76

Grand Jury, and the glaring omissions of pertinent information. “The mere presence of chlorinated

solvents” is not illegal as Phillips testified; Mike Franklin and Agent Phillips did not have test results

showing Trinity had hazardous waste on its premises it was attempting to sell as used oil; Mike

Franklin never told investigators he had a test showing “the presence of chlorinated solvents with

the characteristic of toxicity” on Trinity Marine’s premises; Mike Franklin had no personal

knowledge of knowledge on the part of Hubert Vidrine. With only the smallest bit of objective

detective work, Agent Phillips could and should have known (and indeed, likely did know) that Mike

Franklin’s story was neither credible nor trustworthy. The investigation revealed conflicts of123

interest, unpleasant business competition, financial problems( perhaps stemming from an almost two

decade long cocaine habit), and possible contamination of Franklin’s alleged information due to

Franklin’s presence during the search at Canal. What ultimately secured an indictment against124

Hubert Vidrine was not Mike Franklin, as Keith Phillips testified - it was Keith Phillips’ and

Phillips’ “tweaking” of the Mike Franklin story to create facts, as Agent Phillips wanted to see them.

Given the inherent problems, omissions and glaringly obvious weakness of Mike Franklin and his

information, Agent Phillips and Barnhill’s omission of those problems, and Phillips’ dogged pursuit

of Hubert Vidrine, this Court is left with the question, “Why?” (That question will be discussed in

full detail below when this Court explores the issue of malice.) For now, it is sufficient to note the


Of course, that is the “less stringent” standard, for under Louisiana law, in order to indict, the125

evidence must constitute probable cause sufficient “to justify a conviction absent an explanation orcontradiction.” Huff at 1046.

77

conduct.

Again, the Court returns to the fact that Canal Refining and Hubert Vidrine (as an employee

of Canal Refinery) were in the legal and legitimate business of buying alternative feed stock,

including used oil, which by its nature, and as contemplated by the regulations, is expected to

contain certain amounts of halogens (which include chlorinated solvents), thus, a finding of

chlorinated solvents, in and of itself, is not violative of the law. One source of used oil for Canal

was the barge cleaning industry (namely, Trinity Marine), which was also in the legal and legitimate

business of emptying and cleaning barges used to transport various material, including oil, and

thereafter recycling that used oil by selling it to re-refiners such as Canal – a practice explicitly

encouraged by the EPA. Although Agent Vikin, whom this Court found to be credible, testified that

as an industry, the barge cleaning industry had a poor enforcement record, nonetheless, the industry

itself was a legal and legitimate industry.

Again, “Probable cause for arrest exists when facts and circumstances within the knowledge

of the arresting officer and of which he has reasonable and trustworthy information are sufficient

to justify a man of average caution in the belief that the person to be arrested has committed or is

committing an offense.” Miller, 511 at 452 (emphasis added). Unfounded suspicion and conjecture

will not suffice. Id. Verification is required to establish probable cause if the source of the

information seems unworthy. Id. (emphasis added). In light of the foregoing, this Court finds125

Mike Franklin in no way provided probable cause to indict, or continue to prosecute, Hubert Vidrine.


Of course, this requires one to assume the presiding judge, Judge Melançon, would have126

granted such a request, in light of his ruling as to Mike Franklin.

Fifth Circuit Pattern Jury Instruction 1.37 - Criminal, 2001 ed.127

Lara-Velasquez, 919 F.2d 946, 951 (5 Cir. 1990)(internal citations omitted, emphasis added).th128

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d. “Deliberate Ignorance” of Vidrine

With the exception of Agent Phillips’ testimony that Mike Franklin provided the crucial

element of knowledge on the part of Hubert Vidrine, which, for the reasons provided this Court finds

to be wholly without merit or credibility, the government presented no persuasive evidence of direct

knowledge on behalf of Mr. Vidrine. To overcome this essential void in its case, the government has

argued that had the criminal matter gone to trial, the government could and would have proven

knowledge on the part of Hubert Vidrine, through the use of the “deliberate ignorance” jury

instruction. The Fifth Circuit Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions define “deliberate ignorance” as126

follows:

You may find that a defendant had knowledge of a fact if youfind that the defendant deliberately closed his eyes to what wouldotherwise have been obvious to him. While knowledge on the part ofthe defendant cannot be established merely by demonstrating that thedefendant was negligent, careless, or foolish, knowledge can beinferred if the defendant deliberately blinded himself to the existenceof a fact.127

As stated by the Fifth Circuit in U.S. v. Lara-Velasquez :128

The term deliberate ignorance “denotes a conscious effort to avoid positiveknowledge of a fact which is an element of an offense charged, the defendantchoosing to remain ignorant so he can plead lack of positive knowledge in the eventhe should be caught.” The key aspect of deliberate ignorance is the conscious actionof the defendant-the defendant consciously attempted to escape confirmation ofconditions or events he strongly suspected to exist. As one opinion has colloquiallynoted, deliberate ignorance is reflected in a criminal defendant’s actions whichsuggest, in effect, “Don’t tell em, I don’t want to know.” The purpose of thedeliberate ignorance instruction is to inform the jury that is may consider evidence


Exhibits D68, 30:10-11; D7 at 93.129

79

of the defendant’s charade of ignorance as a circumstantial proof of guiltyknowledge. “[T]he instruction is nothing more than a refined circumstantial evidenceinstruction properly tailored to the facts of a case . . . .”

A deliberate ignorance instruction should be used sparingly. See United States v. Chen, 913 F.2d

183 (5 Cir. 1980).th

The government argues that because Vidrine was responsible for the purchase of all feedstock

for Canal since 1995, he had to have known what he was doing - in other words, the government

argues Mr. Vidrine was “deliberately indifferent” to the fact that he was accepting hazardous waste.

More specifically, the government argues that in March, April, and May of 1996, Canal had been

losing money for a couple of years; that Vidrine was responsible for Tank 402, which was used to

store AFS prior to the manufacture of high sulfur diesel; and that high sulfur diesel was the big

“money maker” for Canal - thus arguing Vidrine had a motive to accept used oil that was “cheap,”

due to its adulteration with hazardous waste, to get Canal “back on its feet.” For the reasons that129

follow, the Court finds a “deliberate ignorance” jury charge does not overcome the government’s

inability to show knowledge on the part of Hubert Vidrine. This Court will now address the

evidence the government argues supports the application of the deliberate ignorance charge.

i. Fred McKenzie

As briefly noted earlier, Agent Phillips testified that Fred McKenzie actually told Mike

Franklin (and not Hubert Vidrine) that if he, Franklin, wanted Trinity Marine’s used oil, he had to

“take the good with the bad.” The only 302 that mentions anything about taking both good and bad

product, is the final Barnhill 302 from July of 1999:

[FRANKLIN] told MCKENZIE that [FRANKLIN] wanted all of theTRINITY product except the bad, contaminated product. MCKENZIE replied that


The December 1998 302 reads on this topic as follows: “MCKENZIE said that if130

[FRANKLIN] wanted to purchase the other products from TRINITY, then [FRANKLIN] would have totake the product in question that was over 1000 ppm.” The January 1999 302 reads: “MCKENZIEadvised he was looking for someone to purchase all of the product at TRINITY together, not separate.”

Exhibits D54, D62. 131

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he already had someone who was going to purchase the whole lot, the good productand the bad product, adding, “why do I have to deal with you”, or words to thateffect.130

While the government vehemently argues this statement meant McKenzie, and thus, Trinity, was

attempting to illegally dispose of purported hazardous waste, equally plausible readings are that

McKenzie was looking for a buyer with a hazardous waste permit, so that he could buy all the

product - both hazardous and non-hazardous – or that he was referencing other problems with the

used oil, not relating to hazardous waste.

The government had multiple witnesses who advised agents that in their opinion, any

statement by McKenzie that a buyer must “take the good with the bad” was not a reference to

hazardous waste, but rather, was a reference to used oil that did not meet the specifications of a

customer. In other words, Trinity Marine – who had a hazardous waste permit, and thus, presumably

had been deemed by the applicable government agencies as sufficiently knowledgeable and prudent

in the handling of hazardous waste - was not attempting to illegally dispose of its hazardous waste,

but rather, was not going to separate its used oil into separate batches to meet the various

specifications of different refineries and those refineries’ equipment.

For example, the government relies upon a facsimile from David Deshotels of U.S. Filter to

Fred McKenzie, dated August 12, 1997, addressing potential hazardous waste contained on the

Kentucky barge, as well as an interview of David Deshotels, to bolster its claim that Trinity was

attempting to dispose of its hazardous waste and Hubert Vidrine should have known this fact.131


Exh. D62 at 2010FBI00338.132

Id. at 2010FBI00339.133

Id. at 2010FBI00337, 2010FBI00339.134

Id. at 2010FBI00337.135

Trial Tr. vol. IV, p. 704, June 10, 2011.136

81

Essentially what these two documents show is that in 1997, while Trinity was selling off its used oil

(because it was in the process of closing its barge cleaning facility), U.S. Filters, a buyer of used oil,

collected samples of Trinity’s product to determine whether it wished to purchase that material. One

of the samples tested by U.S. Filter showed a “high concentration of total halogens.” Another132

sample showed a high concentration of water, which is not a violation of the hazardous waste or used

oil regulations, but rather is a factor that can make used oil “bad” for the specifications of a given

refinery. In fact, Agent Phillips’ own memorandum of the Deshotels interview states:

DESHOTELS stated McKenzie told him he would ‘have to take it all or nothing’ butdid not understand McKenzie to mean the oils containing high concentrations oftotal halogens.

DESHOTELS stated he agreed to take all the oil except the oil containinghigh concentration of total halogens. 133

When U.S. Filter subsequently returned to Trinity to pick up the used oil, one of the three tankers

was rejected, due to the oil containing more water than the samples had represented. McKenzie134

had U.S. Filter pump the rejected oil back into Trinity’s barge. 135

First, the foregoing post-date the alleged criminal acts for which Mr. Vidrine was

indicted by almost one year, and second, Trinity’s Kentucky barge remained in use after the search

warrant was executed at Canal, and during that time it was still being filled and emptied.136

Consequently, any hazardous material that might or might not have been found on the Kentucky


82

Barge almost one year after the storage events in question, at a facility that was licensed to handle

hazardous waste, is no way indicative of whether or not Hubert Vidrine was knowingly storing

hazardous waste, without a permit, at the Canal refinery, from August 13, 1996 through September

4, 1996.

Additionally, Andrew Hanson, Environmental and Safety Coordinator at Trinity Marine, who

worked directly under the supervision of Fred McKenzie, testified on this topic before the grand jury.

Hanson’s testimony reads as follows:

Q Now, there came a point in time, this vendor [Franklin] is trying to dobusiness with Trinity, and I have reason to believe that the vendor said wordsto the effect, to not you necessarily unless you tell me he did, but to FredMcKenzie words to the effect that “I’ll take the good stuff, I’m not going totake the petroleum distillate that has chlorinated solvents in it, because, youknow, that’s - -”

A Waste.

Q - - “waste. I’m not going to take that.”

And the grand jury has heard, or will hear, testimony to the effect thatmanagement with Trinity said words to the effect, “You take it all or you takenone at all.”

And of course, that suggested to the vendor that you take the good stuff withthe bad.

However, you have a perspective on that, and you need to share that with thegrand jury. I think your perspective is is that Fred McKenzie may have meantyou take the good stuff, the medium stuff, and the stuff that’s not so good, butnot hazardous waste. So you have to take the good with the not so good, youhave to take the better with the poorer. But to your way of thinking, when hesaid that - - were you there when he said “all or nothing”?

A I was not there when he said it to any vendor. He had said it to me that thatwas the course he was pursuing in obtaining a vendor to handle the material.

Q But you took that to mean, from your perspective, that some of the stuff youhad was real good stuff, some was fair stuff, and some was - - is marginal


Exh. D63, pp. 970-972. The Court notes, at the trial of this matter, Agent Phillips testified137

(when it bolstered Phillips’ testimony) that Andrew Hanson was fired by Fred McKenzie prior to hisgrand jury testimony, and thus, it would seem Hanson would not be framing his testimony to protectMcKenzie. However, like much of Agent Phillips’ testimony, the Court doubts the veracity of thatstatement. From the materials the Court has reviewed, it appears Hanson worked for Trinity Marine untilshortly before it dismantled its barge cleaning operations in 1997. Furthermore, nothing in AgentPhillips’ memoranda of the two interviews he conducted with Hanson, nor in Hanson’s grand jurytestimony, suggests Hanson was fired by McKenzie.

83

stuff, but it’s all stuff that you can sell.

The next category of stuff is that hazardous waste, which you must disposeof by manifesting it and taking it to disposal areas, correct?

A Talking about good - - by levels, I’m talking, referring to price, not quality.

Q and so when Fred has said to you, Fred McKenzie, “all or nothing,” youdon’t take him to include the hazardous waste in that “all or nothing.”Because essentially, if that’s what he meant to do, what would yourposition have been?

A I would have quit. 137

In light of the foregoing, the Court finds if McKenzie told Franklin he would have to take

all of Trinity’s used oil, both “the good and the bad,” it is more likely than not he was referring to

product that would not meet a buyer’s specifications - not that an unpermitted buyer would have to

illegally accept Trinity’s hazardous waste as well as its used oil. Most importantly however, again,

the statement McKenzie allegedly made to Franklin still does not impart knowledge or deliberate

indifference on behalf of Hubert Vidrine, as the government argues.

ii. Andrew Hanson

The government argues Andrew Hanson’s grand jury testimony supports its showing of

probable cause and Hubert Vidrine’s deliberate ignorance, particularly as it provides corroboration

of Franklin’s statement that one sample taken at Trinity Marine tested positive for over 1000 ppm

chlorinated solvents. First, from this Court’s review of Hanson’s grand testimony, it actually


Exh. D63 at 965-967.138

Id. at USA00967-968, 984.139

Id. at 988; see also Agent Barnhill’s July 1999 memorandum of interview of Hanson, reading140

in pertinent part:

TRINITY became aware of the CANAL warrant through a representative fromAFI. This call was in September, 1996, the day of the CANAL warrant. TRINITYthereafter pulled samples from the source tanks there at CANAL and sent the samples toa lab. TRINITY also pulled samples from non-source tanks, which HANSON describedas tank product that had not been shipped out yet. All samples as pulled fromTRINITY came back negative for chlorinated materials.

Ex. D17 at127. (emphasis added).

84

indicates Hanson had no specific recollection of Mike Franklin coming out to Trinity to buy product

or take samples. Rather, those were facts assumed by the prosecutor in his questioning of Hanson,138

likely due to information funneled to him by Barnhill and Phillips.

Next, Hanson testified to the grand jury that at some point in time, Hanson did realize that

chlorinated solvents in the 4 starboard hold of the Kentucky barge had eaten through the walls of that

hold and leaked into at least two of the surrounding holds containing petroleum distillates.139

However, as previously discussed, the evidence indicates that, in fact, had Franklin pulled samples,

they would not have been pulled from the same hold that contained the product ultimately sent to

Canal - or even from a hold where cross-contamination likely would or could have occurred.

Additionally, Hanson testified when he learned of the search warrant executed at Canal, he was

“fairly sure” he resampled all tanks from which material was pulled to send to Canal, and to his

recollection, the test results came back showing no signs of chlorinated material. Hanson further140

testified it would have been difficult for someone at Trinity to have clandestinely smuggled out

chlorinated solvents mixed with petroleum distillates without his having known about it, and he had


Id. at 991-995.141

85

no such knowledge. Finally, as already discussed, Hanson testified if and when McKenzie told141

Franklin he had to take all product - both good and bad - he would not have been referring to

hazardous waste, but rather, all used oil, whether or not it met the particular specifications of a

particular refinery.

iii. Harold Langdon

The government, also, argues Harold Langdon, Vice President of Marketing and

Administration at Canal, not only supports deliberate ignorance, but also provides corroboration of

the Franklin story. Agent Barnhill’s December 302 of Franklin reads: “[FRANKLIN] talked to

HAROLD LANGDON, who said that VIDRINE bought bad product and that the bad product was

put into Tank 402.” Again, the evidence revealed that in the refinery business, references to “bad

product” typically refer to product that does not conform to a given refinery’s specifications, for a

variety of reasons, and can lead to a shut down of the refinery’s equipment. For example, in the

refinery business, “bad product” can refer to product with a high salt content, a high viscosity, excess

gravity, excess water, etc. Consequently, the statement contained in Barnhill’s 302, which itself

constitutes, at best, her memory of hearsay within hearsay, does not necessarily correlate with

Franklin’s allegation of the presence of more than 1000 ppm chlorinated solvents in one of the

multiple samples he allegedly took and had tested at least one month prior to the alleged conduct for

which Hubert Vidrine was indicted. Additionally of note, Harold Langdon was interviewed by Agent

Phillips, and Agent Phillips’ Investigation Summary Report reveals no reference to Langdon having

stated Vidrine bought bad product and put it in Tank 402. Of further interest, Phillips’ report states:

“Langdon had little interaction with Vidrine other than discussions concerning supply and


P036 at 1211.142


86

marketing.”142

iv. Frank Bourque

The government, also, relies upon the interview of Frank Bourque, an AFI employee, to show

“deliberate ignorance.” Specifically, the government relies upon the following statements in Agent

Barnhill’s memorandum memorializing that interview: “BOURQUE stated that VIDRINE knew

what sort of material CANAL was receiving from TRINITY. ‘It was all about money’, or words to

that effect. BOURQUE added, ‘Where they (CANAL) could save that buck, they would save it’, or

words to that effect.” The Court finds the foregoing does not support the government’s assumption143

that because Vidrine acted to save his company money, he set out to purchase illegal AFS to further

that endeavor. Moreover, the foregoing does not provide knowledge, direct or otherwise, that

Vidrine knew the used oil he was receiving had, perhaps, been adulterated with hazardous waste by

Trinity. The Court finds the government overreaches in its argument. Furthermore, the Court finds

when read in its entirety, the Bourque interview actually undercuts the government’s argument

regarding knowledge - deliberate or otherwise.

Agent Barnhill’s 302 of Bourque reads in pertinent part:

In developing the deal to transport material from Trinity to Canal, JohnBroussard dealt with Fred McKenzie at Trinity regarding what materials wereavailable, and Campbell dealt with Hubert Vidrine at Canal regarding what materialsCanal would accept.

. . . .

Whiting was the full time driver of the AFI tanker used to transport betweenTrinity and Canal. When Whiting was to transport a load between trinity and Canal,he would receive from the AFI office Bills of Lading that would already be filled out.


87

. . . It would already be known by John Broussard what material was to be picked upthat day from Trinity. . . .

At Trinity, only Trinity employees were allowed to pump the Trinity materialinto the AFI tanker. A sample was then taken from the top and the bottom of thetanker by a Trinity employee. If no sample was provided, Whiting would pull thesample himself. Upon arrival at Canal, a Canal employee would sometimes pull asample from the tanker, depending on the Bill of Lading. If the material beingbrought in from Trinity was listed as ethanol, then a sample was always pulled atCanal. If the material from Trinity was listed as petroleum distillates, then a samplewas often not pulled at Canal and the tanker went immediately to off load at a specialstorage tank.

Bourque recalled that on many occasions, the material from Trinity was notwhat McKenzie had said it to be. At times, the material AFI was told to be petroleumdistillates was found to contain water and sludge. Some of Trinity’s materialswere not accepted by Canal. When that occurred, the material in the AFI tanker wasbrought to AFI to be stored. Bourque sated that he was told by John Broussard, “Wehave to take the bad with the good”, or words to that effect. Bourque added that if thebad was not taken by AFI, then AFI would not get the good material.

Bourque advised that Vidrine accepted almost anything. If a load wasrejected at Canal, it was done due to sludge or a high water percentage in theethanol. Canal would accept anything else. Quantity, not quality, was important.Bourque states, “It would have to be horribly bad off for them not to accept it. Canalwould hide it in something else”, or words to that effect.

Bourque recalls that approximately every other return trip from unloadingmaterial at Canal from Trinity, Whiting would bring a sample from that load to AFI.This sample, which John Broussard was told by Trinity to be petroleum distillates,was tested at AFI and found to contain constituents to include benzine, toluene, andxylene. Chlorinated solvents were identified by John Broussard as being present inthe sample according to the smell. Through these test results at AFI of Trinitymaterial, Bourque thought that the material should have been disposed of, not sold,by Trinity. Bourque stated, “Trinity was doing anything it took to get the bargesstriped [sic]”, or words to that effect.

Bourque recalls the day of the federal search warrant on Canal becauseWhiting returned to AFI with a tanker load of material from Trinity that was turnedaway from Canal and not permitted to unload. . . .

. . . .

. . . However, Bourque recalls that on possibly two (2) occasions, the tanker


Exhibit D65 at 1020-22.144

Phillips Trial Tr. vol. III, p. 604, June 9, 2011.145

88

did not go directly to Canal from Trinity, but instead returned to AFI from Trinity toget “topped off” with either ethanol or a red oil substance. John Broussard usedpetroleum distillates to top off the tanker. Bourque does not believe that JohnBroussard used chlorinated solvents to top off the tanker. Bourque added, “I seeeverything put into the tankers”, or words to that effect. Bourque did not observeJohn Broussard use known chlorinates to top off the tanker.

Bourque is not aware of any time when AFI loaded the tanker with any

material from AFI prior to the tanker leaving for Trinity to receive a load for Canal.On the day of the federal search warrant, wherein the load from Trinity to Canal wasreturned to AFI, the entire load was pulled straight from Trinity and was not broughtby AFI to be topped off.

. . . .

Campbell always dealt with Vidrine.144

Thus, the Bourque information shows Mr. Vidrine dealt with Mel Campbell, not John

Broussard, again undercutting Agent Phillips’ testimony to this Court and his testimony at length to

the grand jury about John Broussard and AFI, and his argument that he gave that testimony to the

grand jury because he wanted the grand jury to “know who Mr. Vidrine was doing business with” ;145

it provides further support for Vidrine’s statement to Agent Vikin that trucks from trusted vendors

were not always sampled for compatibility with Canal’s refinery equipment immediately, but rather,

were allowed to unload prior to Canal testing the compatibility of the product; it provides further

support for the proposition that in the refinery industry, “bad product” typically refers to product that

is incompatible with a refinery’s equipment and does not refer to product adulterated with

chlorinated solvents; it specifically states Broussard was not laundering his hazardous waste in

the Trinity material destined for Canal; and it contains no indication that Vidrine knew he was

storing purported hazardous waste, rather than used oil, at Canal Refinery.


Exhibit D16, bate stamp 119.146

Of note, the actual Whiting memorandum also reflects Broussard, unlike Phillips’ testimony to147

the grand jury, correctly advised Whiting that used oil may contain a certain amount of chlorinatedsolvents and not be in violation of the applicable regulations.

Exh. D16, p. 121.148

89

v. Randall Whiting

The government cites the following information from Randall Whiting, the full time driver

of the AFI tanker used to transport product between Trinity and Canal, in support of its showing of

Vidrine’s deliberate ignorance and of probable cause. Specifically, the government argues146

Whiting told agents about a contract between Broussard and Trinity; that Whiting told agents when

product was being transferred from Trinity’s hose to the AFI tanker, Whiting observed the product

to be blackish-grey in color and smelling of chemicals; that Whiting stated no samples were pulled

at Canal from the AFI truck prior to the off-loading of product; and that Whiting told agents he did

not make any stops to pick up other product en route from Trinity to Canal.

First, yet again, there is no evidence Whiting shared any of the foregoing information with

Vidrine. Furthermore, there is no evidence Hubert Vidrine smelled the material, or that Mr. Whiting

had the expertise to discern the difference between used oil, which might or might not be violative

of the regulations, and various other petroleum substances perhaps mixed with hazardous waste, via

his sense of smell. Furthermore, as to Canal pulling samples from Whiting’s load, when one147

reviews the actual source of this information, it reads as follows:

At CANAL, no samples were pulled from the AFI truck prior to the AFI truck offloading product into the CANAL tank. WHITING stated that at times when he, as anAFI tanker driver, trucked products in to CANAL from other facilities besidesTRINITY, a sample would be pulled by CANAL prior to the product being offloaded into CANAL tanks.148


And again, lest we lose sight of the “big picture,” even had Canal pulled a sample from the149

AFI truck delivering product on the day of the warrant, it would have tested “clean” - i.e. it would havetested below the 1000 ppm total halogen threshold which applies to used oil, based upon thegovernment’s own laboratory results.

Of further interest to this Court, although not abundantly clear it appears that Agent Barnhill’s150

memorandum of interview of Whiting reflects that on the day of the search at Canal, Whiting contactedBroussard upon arrival at Canal and complied with Broussard’s instruction that he immediately return toAFI. There is no mention of Whiting being stopped by law enforcement agents, or agents collectingsamples from the material he was carrying, yet another seemingly inaccurate statement. Ex. D16, p. 121.

Exhibit P014 at 494.151

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The foregoing is in conformity with that which Vidrine told investigators at his initial interview: the

testing Canal was doing at that time was not to check for chlorinated solvents or other halogens, but

rather, was designed to determine whether or not product was consistent with the specifications of

Canal’s refinery. Before purchasing product, Canal had the product tested for the foregoing

purposes. If the product was purchased from a trusted vendor, it was not always re-sampled

immediately upon delivery. And again, although the Trinity material was transported from Trinity149

to Canal on a tuck owned by AFI, it is undisputed the material did not come from, or stop at AFI.150

Thus, the Whiting information does not support the government’s argument.

vi. Financial motives

In addition to Bourque, the government also relies on Mike Franklin and Michael Fruge to

show the existence of deliberate ignorance as to Hubert Vidrine, arguing that for Vidrine, it was “all

about the money.” In Franklin’s July interview, Barnhill records that Franklin advised her that at

some unidentified point in time, Vidrine told Franklin he was going to try to save Canal money by

buying cheap feedstock and selling high, because the refinery was going to be closed down if it did

not show profit. This in no way shows intent to break the law, rather it shows an aggressive151

business strategy which, on its face, in no way indicates illegal intent. Similarly, the government



Just hitting the highlights: “When asked if there have been any problems associated with tank153

# 402, Fruge answered in the negative. When asked if the trans-mix stored in tank # 402 is contaminatedwith chlorinated solvents, Fruge answered in the negative.” Id.


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relies upon the interview of Michael G. Fruge, a Process Manager at Canal who was supervised by

Vidrine, to show “high sulfur diesel is the big ‘money maker’ for Canal.” Again, the Court finds152

the fact that Vidrine was a business man who tried to save his company money does not mean he set

out to purchase illegal AFS to further that endeavor, and more importantly, these statements do not

provide knowledge, direct or otherwise, that Vidrine knew the used oil he was receiving had been

adulterated with hazardous waste as the government argues. Moreover, a review of the entire Fruge

memorandum reveals, like so many others in this case, that Fruge actually undercuts the

government’s allegations against Hubert Vidrine. The Court again finds the government153

overreaches in its argument.

The government argues Agent Barnhill’s interview of Aaron Hornsby supports their

argument of deliberate ignorance. Agent Barnhill’s memorandum reflects the following:

[W]hen feed stock is bought at 20 cents a gallon there is something wrong with it.Common sense tells a person there is a reason why it is cheap. Santa Clause died along time ago. Another refinery is not going to give you good feedstock at cheapprice. Why would they? The AFS [Alternate Fuel Stock] had a pungent egg smellto it. The AFS did not smell like crude oil, “or words to that effect.” 154

Much like Mike Franklin, the evidence in the record showed Aaron Hornsby also had great reason

to bear animosity toward Hubert Vidrine. The testimony at trial indicated Mr. Hornsby had an

alcohol problem, that at some point prior to being fired by Canal, Hornsby was no longer allowed

to deal with Canal’s AFS, as that job was given to Vidrine. After Hornsby was fired, he was replaced


P036 at 1225.155

On June 2, 1999, Virginia Bowen was interviewed by Agents Phillips and Barnhill. Bowen156

was of the opinion that McConnell was a micro manager, and that Vidrine could not have purchased any

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by Hubert Vidrine, whom Hornsby had previously supervised. Hornsby’s animosity toward Vidrine

is further bolstered by Barnhill’s testimony at the grand jury that Franklin told her that Vidrine told

him that Vidrine thought Hornsby’s son may have “planted” hazardous waste in Tank 402.

Additionally, it appears other employees at Canal were aware of Hornsby’s animosity toward

Vidrine, as reflected by the following information contained in Agent Phillips’ March 2000

Investigative Summary Report regarding his interview of Ben Harmon, a former laboratory assistant

at Canal:

Harmon advised SA Phillips that Aaron Hornsby’s wife had ties to theKennedy family in Washington D.C. and that ‘the issue of Vidrine handlinghazardous waste was a conspiracy between the Hornsby’s with the help of theKennedy’s to get even with Hubert Vidrine for taking Hornsby’s job as refinerymanager’, or words to that effect.155

Nonetheless, Hornsby’s information, even if found to be reliable, which is in great question, would

not support the government’s argument that the deliberate ignorance instruction should apply.

vii. Chuck McConnell

The government additionally points to Agent Phillips’ Investigative Activity Report regarding

Chuck McConnell, Hubert Vidrine’s boss, in support of its argument that because Vidrine was

buying “cheap product,” he was choosing to be deliberately ignorant of the fact that what he bought

from Trinity was (according to the government) hazardous waste and not used oil:

McConnell stated he had questioned Vidrine about the cost of the AFS dueto the low price. However, McConnell advised that the cost fluctuated depending onwhat the market would bear. McConnell stated that 20 to 30 cents a gallon for AFSwas cheap. If the price seemed to [sic] low, he would question Vidrine about whatwas being brought into the refinery as feed stock. McConnell stated that he had156


AFS without McConnell’s approval. Ex. P036 at 2964.

Exhibit D59 at 1244. 157

Exh. D70.158

Exhibit D59 at 1244. 159

Exhibit D46160

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questioned Vidrine if, he Vidrine, was receiving certified analyses on the AFS.McConnell advised Vidrine had indicated the refinery was receiving certifiedanalyses on AFS.

. . . McConnell advised that if Hornsby felt something was too cheap and thereforeunsuitable for AFS, Canal would have stopped purchasing material.157

First, it should be noted that according to Bourque, Canal was actually paying 30¢ per gallon for the

used oil from Trinity. Second, no evidence was presented as to what the government felt was the158

average cost of used oil in 1996. The Court finds the government’s reliance on Hornsby and

McConnell is misplaced, as the price of the Trinity material was not 20¢, but 30¢, and there is no

evidence (other than hearsay) that 30¢ per gallon, or even 20¢ per gallon, was so far beneath the

average market price of used oil in 1996 that Vidrine should have known the product from Trinity

had, allegedly been adulterated with hazardous waste by Trinity Marine.

The government additionally argues three months prior to the search warrant at Canal,

McConnell requested Vidrine implement a procedure to identify the presence of chlorinated solvents

in AFS received at the refinery, due to “a discussion with a chemical broker concerning the presence

of chlorinated solvents in AFS.” When testing still had not begun in August, McConnell wrote159

a memo to Vidrine, dated August 16, 1996, stressing the need for the testing. The memo, entitled,160

“Alternate Feedstock Quality Control,” states in pertinent part: “[W]e added a check for chlorinated

hydrocarbons on each truckload delivered to Canal. Presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons is


Id. at 765 (emphasis in original) 161

When questioned about the memo, Agent Phillips testified:162

Q. [Y]ou've already told this Court that you did not infer any guilty knowledge on behalfof Vidrine or Canal or McConnell or any of these guys because they were voluntarilypreparing to start testing the stuff [for chlorinated compounds], right?

A. They were in the process but they never tested.

Q. Right. So they actually were taking steps to voluntarily be even more cautious,right? That's what you said yesterday?

A. Yes.. . . .

Q. [T]hey ordered the test kits, CHLOR-D-TECT 1,000s, remember that?

A. Right.

Q. [H]ubert Vidrine was on vacation for a couple weeks in August, and then the kitsarrived, and then they started -- slow down? - - then they started seeing how they worked,remember that?

94

automatic failure and rejection of the load. . . . If this procedure does not match Canal’s procedure

in place now, please let me know immediately.” 161

Mr. Vidrine readily admits his boss issued a memo reflecting an instruction to him that he

begin testing all loads for “chlorinated hydrocarbons.” In fact, Mr. Vidrine testified that it was he

who advised his boss that the presence of chlorinated solvents could be problematic. Mr. Vidrine

testified that at some point prior to ordering the CHLOR-D-TECT kits, he had learned from Mike

Franklin that a company called Enjet “had gotten into legal trouble” due to chlorinated solvents, and

he had advised Mr. McConnell that Canal should start testing for chlorinated solvents. Thereafter,

the testing equipment was ordered. However, due to Canal’s credit problems and the test kits having

been sent to the wrong building, the testing for chlorinated solvents did not begin before the search

warrant was executed. The Court finds this internal instruction, contained in the memorandum162


A. Correct.

Q. But they hadn't actually started testing the loads. They were just about to when thesearch occurred, right?

A. Test kits were in Vidrine's office.

Q. Right, Now let's assume the timing had been off a little differently. Let's supposethey took these voluntary steps two weeks earlier, or a month earlier, and they hadtested all these truckloads from Trinity. What would the tests have reflected? Under a thousand, as far as you know. You have not the slightest evidence that, ifthey had been testing this, any of these trucks would have been over a thousand, doyou?

A. No, I do not

Phillips Trial Tr. vol. III, pp. 495-497, June 9, 2011. (emphasis added).

P033 at p. 950 (“It’s known within the industry, the barge cleaning industry and people who163

deal with buying barge bottoms, that barge cleaning operations are anything but sanitary. Cross-contamination does occur. This is widely known.”); p. 952 (cross-contamination in the barge cleaningindustry is “primarily due to laziness”).

95

from Mr. McConnell, was just that - an internal company procedure - it does not evidence knowledge

on Mr. Vidrine’s part that the used oil he was storing was actually hazardous waste.

viii. “Reputation” of barge cleaning operations

The last significant argument in support of knowledge and deliberate ignorance made by the

government was, essentially, that it is “common knowledge” that “barge cleaning operations produce

adulterated material.” According to Agent Phillips, Trinity (like most barge cleaning companies)163

utilized sloppy housekeeping procedures, such as using non-dedicated hoses to clean barges, which

could have allowed chlorinated solvents to migrate into Trinity’s used oil. Agent Phillips’ testimony

about this issue was as follows:

THE COURT: And in a nutshell that's what you had to show knowledge on the partof Vidrine that he was getting - - that he knowingly was receiving and storinghazardous waste?

WITNESS: That was not the only. The other issue is the reputation of barge


Phillips Trial Tr. vol. III, pp. 490-491, June 9, 2011.164

96

cleaning facilities . . . .

WITNESS: Mr. Vidrine should have known that barge cleaning operations produceadulterated material.

THE COURT: Why?

WITNESS: It was common knowledge in his industry and alternate feedstocks.

. . . .

WITNESS: I'm not an expert but I do, - - I did learn the barge cleaning facilityoperations in the course of the investigation.

THE COURT: But even with that, . . . there was nothing to show that Mr.Vidrine knew he was getting adulterated product. . . . [S]o what you're tellingme is that, because after the fact you decided that these people didn't - - theTrinity barge cleaning people were not honorable, that Mr. Vidrine should haveknown he was getting bad product? That's your knowledge on his part?

THE WITNESS: Yes.164

This Court disagrees with the government: All the foregoing testimony indicates is that Keith

Phillips, who by his own admission is not an expert on barge cleaning operations, is of the opinion

that everyone in the refinery business knows, or should have known, that all barge cleaning facilities

only produce materials adulterated with hazardous waste. The Court finds this testimony, as it

relates to probable cause as to Hubert Vidrine’s knowledge, to be so absurd as to warrant no further

explanation.

3. Conclusion - Probable Cause

This Court ends its evaluation of probable cause with the conclusion that even if it had found

Mike Franklin to be a credible source of information, which it does not, and even had Agent Phillips

provided truthful testimony to the grand jury, which he did not, probable cause would not have


Again, John Broussard and AFI were indicted on October 10, 1996; they were presumed165

innocent until their convictions on January 15, 1997.

97

existed to have indicted Hubert Vidrine for knowingly storing hazardous waste, originating from

Trinity Marine, without a permit, beginning on August 13, 1996. Again, however, as the indictment

was dismissed prior to trial, under applicable Louisiana law, the presumption exists that there was

no probable cause, and the government has failed to overcome that presumption. However, for the

reasons provided, this Court finds the presumption would not have proved necessary for plaintiffs

to prove their case, as this Court finds the evidence presented to establish probable cause to indict

Hubert Vidrine did not and does not exist. Furthermore, this Court finds a “deliberate ignorance”

instruction would not have cured the defects in the government’s case, as there was no basis to

present that instruction to the jury, based upon the evidence presented to this Court.

This Court finds, at best, at the end of the day, Agent Phillips set out to obtain an indictment

and prosecution of Hubert Vidrine, based on what he perceived to be, at best, evidence of “Other

Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts.” See Fed. R. Evid. 404(b). However, again, at best, what the government

proved at this trial, was that at some point after October 10, 1996 (at the earliest and being generous

to the government), Canal probably should have more closely scrutinized any product it may or many

not have received from John Broussard and AFI. But again, one cannot lose sight of the fact165

Hubert Vidrine was not indicted for any material or product Canal might have received from AFI

and John Broussard. Not only do the crimes for which Broussard and AFI were ultimately convicted

have nothing whatsoever to do with the indictment issued against Hubert Vidrine, the indictment

against Broussard and AFI did not issue until after the storage events for which Vidrine was indicted,

and thus, the omission of Canal in the indictment of AFI and John Broussard, and the omission of

product received from John Broussard and AFI in the Vidrine indictment, are rather telling.


See also Hope at 1143; Robinson at 251; Keppard at 959.166

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Accordingly, the Court finds probable cause did not exist to indict, nor did it exist at anytime

thereafter to continue to prosecute Hubert Vidrine. Accordingly, the Court finds the government has

failed to carry its burden to overcome the presumption of an absence of probable cause.

B. Malice

The Court now turns its attention to malice, the legal issue inherent within the question of

“why?” As previously noted, pursuant to Louisiana law, when an indictment is dismissed, a

presumption of a lack of probable cause arises, which allows malice to be inferred, and thus the

burden shifts to the defendant to show an absence of malice. Zerbe, at 1231.166

With regard to malice, the Louisiana Supreme Court has stated:

[M]alice does not submit readily to definition. . . . Any feeling of hatred,animosity, or ill will toward the plaintiff, of course, amounts to malice. But it is notessential to prove such ill will. Malice is found when the defendant uses theprosecution for the purpose of obtaining any private advantage, for instance, asa means to extort money, to collect a debt, to recover property, to compelperformance of a contract, to “tie up the mouths” of witnesses in another action, oras an experiment to discover who might have committed the crime. Malice may beinferred from the lack of probable cause or inferred from a finding that thedefendant acted in reckless disregard of the other person's rights.

Miller at 453 (citations omitted, emphasis added). All parties agree the presumption is at play, and

the government has the burden to overcome the inference of malice.

After hearing all argument of counsel, and receiving all evidence and testimony, the Court

finds the government has failed to overcome the inference of malice, as it finds probable cause was

lacking and specifically finds Agent Phillips acted with malice, as defined, for the reasons that

follow.


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1. Keith Phillip’s false statements and inaccurate testimony permeated thecriminal case, as well as this civil case

The most egregious conduct of Mr. Phillips is his repeated disregard of the oath he took, on

multiple occasions, to tell the truth. His testimony before the grand jury on Sept. 14, 1999 and Dec.

14, 1999, particularly as it relates to the Franklin “analytical” or test results, is particularly troubling.

Even if this Court were to find Phillips’ testimony that he was mistaken to be credible - which, when

judged against the test reports themselves and Agent Barnhill’s testimony, it does not - at a

minimum, that “mistake” would not have occurred but for Phillips’ “reckless disregard for other

persons’ rights.” Miller at 453. Phillips testified he had seen the Franklin analyticals, and they were

positive for “chlorinated solvents.” As explained above, the two potential reports Phillips had in his

possession in August of 1999 clearly and obviously, on their face, could not have been those

Franklin test results. Of the two reports, one showed the sample to be under 1000 ppm (Franklin

consistently and exclusively said his were over 1000 ppm), and the other is clearly dated as the day

after the search at Canal, in which Phillips participated (Franklin’s statement was his results

predated the search at Canal.) Furthermore, a simple conversation with Mike Franklin could have

settled the issue, a conversation both Barnhill and Phillips admit, at some point, occurred.

Thus, the documents Phillips now relies upon to ameliorate his false testimony are of no

benefit to him. Although the alleged Franklin test results were never found, Phillips testified not

once, but twice, under oath, that he had seen those tests and their contents. Had Phillips actually

looked at the PPL test reports, it is clear they could not be the Franklin reports. Furthermore, had

he merely inquired of Franklin, prior to testifying about those reports, Franklin himself would have

told Phillips the PPL reports were not his missing reports. As previously noted, Agent Barnhill,

whom this Court found to be far more credible than Agent Phillips, testified Mike Franklin had


When one returns to the testimony of Keith Phillips as to Mike Franklin:167

THE COURT: . . .The 302s dealing with Mr. Franklin, do they discuss the characteristicsof toxicity or do they discuss that there was something that was over a thousand parts permillion?

A: Franklin stuck with the thousand parts per million.

Phillips Trial Tr. vol. III, p. 477, June 9, 2011.

Exhibit P033, 973:6-14.168

Exhibit P033, 988:19-21.169

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indeed told her and Agent Phillips, prior to the July or certainly December grand jury session,

that the subpoenaed reports were not the applicable reports; Phillips himself admitted Franklin

told him as much at some point in time.

Phillips admitted to this Court that Franklin always referred to the test results as being “over

1000 ppm.” Nevertheless, at the September 14, 1999 grand jury session, Agent Phillips testified:167

Q. All right. So he had the material tested. And the Grand Jury has subpoenaed therecords form the lab that he sent it to be tested to?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. And you’ve reviewed those records for the Grand Jury’s benefit. And thoselab results are, essentially, what?

A. They indicate that the material, at least, in part, was contaminated withchlorinated solvents. 168

Q. You have Franklin’s test that came back in June positive?

A. That’s correct.169

And again at the December 14, 1999 grand jury session:

Q. And you’ve obtained the samples - - the test results of what Mike Franklintook in the summer of 1996. The came back positive for chlorinated solvents,correct?


Exhibit P033, 1021:16-20.170

Phillips Trial Tr. vol. I, p. 51, June 7, 2011.171

101

A. That is correct.170

In other words, Agent Phillips, clearly, was not content to merely “gather the facts and let the facts

themselves either support or not support the indictment” , but rather, shaded and colored those171

facts, and in no way checked or reviewed any possible assumptions he might have chosen to make.

Rather, he provided unsubstantiated and false testimony, that could have easily been recognized as

false, had he simply reviewed the contents of the reports or spoken to his star witness, Franklin. But

instead, Phillips chose to manipulate the “facts,” as provided by Franklin, by changing the

languaging in significant fashion by, for example, shifting the language from “test results showing

over 1000 ppm chlorinated solvents” as Franklin indicated (which suggest the regulations relating

to used oil) to “positive for chlorinated solvents” (which suggests the hazardous waste regulations) -

i.e. one suggesting possible violations, the other not. This is extremely relevant to this matter, as

Agent Phillips knew there were no test results showing material “over 1000 ppm,” because the

government’s own lab results showed the samples taken at Canal on the day of the search were well

under 1000 ppm. The Court finds Agent Phillips’ testimony before the grand jury, in and of itself,

supports a finding of malice.

At best, Agent Phillips’ failure to verify with Franklin he had the proper test results (or

testifying in total disregard to Franklin’s having told him the contrary), his testifying he had

reviewed the test results (even if that was a “mistake” as Phillips argued at this trial), and his

coloring of his testimony as to that which he was told by Franklin constituted a reckless disregard

for Hubert Vidrine’s rights merely by the extent of its sloppiness. Keith Phillips testified before this


Phillips Trial Tr. vol. V, p. 877-878, June 13, 2011.172

102

Court:

THE COURT: I'm not asking about his conversation, and I'm not asking a thingabout Howard Parker. I'm asking about you, Special Agent Phillips, who went intoa Grand Jury and testified, after having taken an oath, whether or not, before youtestified to the Grand Jury, that you, in fact, had a lab report in hand if you looked atthe lab reports -- did you look at them?

WITNESS: As far as I know I did, Your Honor.

THE COURT: Okay. And you're telling me that the first one couldn't apply, right?

WITNESS: It was a clean -- our logic was it was the clean material.

THE COURT: Yeah. So the only other one is this one that has the date of after thesearch warrant was issued.

WITNESS: Correct.

THE COURT: Did you look at that one before you went and testified?

WITNESS: I'm sure I did, Your Honor.

THE COURT: Okay. Can you in any way tell me how you didn't catch it then?

WITNESS: How I what?

THE COURT: Did not catch this date and something being amiss?

WITNESS: No, ma'am, I cannot. 172

The PPL subpoenas clearly did not produce the Franklin tests, nor did the additional subpoenas

issued to all potential labs within the region where Franklin could have taken the alleged samples

produce the Franklin tests. And yet, Phillips testified before the grand jury he had reviewed those

test results and what their contents were. Thus, when Phillips testified, Phillips knew, or clearly

should have known, that he did not have the Franklin results about which he was giving testimony.

Accordingly, only one conclusion can be drawn: Phillips either acted with intentional malice and


Barnhill Trial Tr. vol. II, p. 130, June 14, 2011.173

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ill will, or with an alarming reckless disregard for the rights of Hubert Vidrine and the oaths that he

took.

Agent Barnhill, Phillips co-agent with whom he was engaged in a clandestine sexual affair,

testified she never believed the PPL reports were the missing Franklin reports, because Franklin had

told her and Agent Phillips, certainly by the December 14, 1999 grand jury session, that the reports

the government had obtained were not the “smoking gun” reports Franklin had discussed with agents

on numerous occasions. Furthermore, as to the subpoenaed PPL report dated September 6, 1996,

Agent Barnhill testified she did not even need Franklin to tell her that was not the proper report:

THE WITNESS: I don't know that I considered the document on 9-6 of '96 to everbe in the equation . . . I mean, his analytical that he took was back in June or July.So myself, I never considered that to be what I was looking for. And the documentthat was in question was the one on 6-17 of '96. . . .173

And yet, her co-agent and then lover, testified before the grand jury not once, but twice, that he had

reviewed non-existent documents and testified as to their content in the most damning fashion.

Again, Phillips himself admits Franklin told him at some point the test reports obtained by

grand jury subpoena from PPL were not the reports Franklin had allegedly provided to Hubert

Vidrine and Fred McKenzie. Phillips testified in this matter:

THE COURT: So you basically believed you had the wrong lab reports.

WITNESS: Is what we came to the conclusion of, yes, ma'am.

THE COURT: And that conclusion you came to happened when you sat down andlooked at that time lab reports at some point in time?

WITNESS: I believe my testimony, and if my memory serves me, I believe MikeFranklin pointed out that these were the incorrect lab reports.

THE COURT: So you had never asked Mr. Franklin whether or not these were the


Phillips Trial Tr. vol. V, pp. 880-881, June 13, 2011.174

Agent Barnhill later noted she is not sure whether or not AUSA Parker was present at this175

discussion, but testified Phillips was present.

104

correct lab reports before you went to the Grand Jury and testified that, in fact, theywere?

WITNESS: I don't believe I did, Your Honor.

THE COURT: Seems to me a rather glaring omission, does it not?

WITNESS: We did not -- I don't believe we showed them to Mr. Franklin prior tothe Grand Jury.

THE COURT: Why not?

WITNESS: I can't answer that, Your Honor.

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) In fact, in terms of the questions the judge just asked you, there is norecord, is there, or maybe I missed it, of -- in any Franklin interview of your asking him tolook at this lab report before or after the Grand Jury, is there?

A. I don't -- I don't believe any of the 302s reference that, no.174

Contrarily, Agent Barnhill testified in this Court:

THE COURT: . . . , the Grand Jury from which an indictment came, and I showthat to be December 14, 1999. Prior to that time you -- it's your memory thatyou, Agent Phillips and AUSA Parker would have met with Mr. Franklin and175

that Mr. Franklin told you that the Precision Petroleum Labs documents thatwe're looking at in front of you, invoice number 5673 in particular, was not thelab report that he had told you about, correct?

WITNESS: That's the best of my recollection.

THE COURT: And so you dismissed it because Franklin had told you thiswasn't the right one?

WITNESS: That's correct.

THE COURT: And this was before the Grand Jury met on December -- well, inand around December 14, 1999, from which an indictment flowed?


Barnhill Trial Tr. vol. II, p. 129, June 14, 2011. The Court agrees, there would have been no176

need to continue to send subpoenas if the results were in hand. This Court finds it wholly withoutcredibility that Agent Phillips was unaware the PPL return could not have been the Franklin test resultswhen his co-agent handling the case and with whom he was engaged in a sexual relationship, wascompletely aware.

Exhibit P033, 840:12-18.177

Again, despite being on their will-call witness list, at trial, the government made a strategic,178

and likely wise, decision and declined to call their expert witness, EPA Regulatory and TechnicalSpecialist Guy Tidmore, to testify.

105

WITNESS: That's correct, because if I felt we had the document, I would havestopped sending -- I would not have continued looking for the documentthrough subpoenas to labs. 176

Thus again this Court finds, when judged against the documentary evidence and other more credible

testimony, Agent Phillips’ attempt to explain his conduct to be alarmingly without merit or

credibility.

Setting aside the fact Phillips’ testimony before the grand jury was false, it was also clearly

designed to inflame the passions and play on the fears of the grand jury. For example, Phillips

testified, again inaccurately, to the grand jury:

If that diesel fuel contains a chlorinated solvent such as carbon tetrachloride orchloroform, or one-two dichlorobenzene, then you’ve not only gotten diesel fuel onyour clothes, but you’ve also exposed yourself to a known carcinogen, a compound,a chemical, that has been known to cause cancer.177

This testimony was categorically refuted by plaintiffs’ expert, Peter Romanowsky, whom this Court

found knowledgeable and credible, and is contrary to the EPA’s own comments contained in the

Federal Register. 178

Phillips testified before this Court, when questioned by plaintiffs’ counsel:

Q. . . . During the course of your focusing on this exhibit [regarding samples takenat Trinity on September 30, 1996], you made reference to benzene readings and youvolunteered in one of Ms. Gutierrez's questions that they were extremely high. Doyou remember that?


Phillips Trial Tr. vol. V, p. 882, June 13, 2011. Btex is an acronym that stands for benzene,179

toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes. Phillips testified benzene is not a chlorinated solvent. Id. at 883.

Vikin Trial Tr. vol. II, p. 243, June 23, 2011.180

106

A. Yes.

Q. Now that bothers me, Agent Phillips, because does that in some way suggest thatyou or some of your EPA cohorts are now thinking about indicting Mr. Vidrine orsomebody on some benzene violation?

A. No, we are not.

Q. Well, if you look at the actual charges at issue ..., There's not a single referenceto benzene, is there?

A. No there is not.

Q. There is not a single reference to benzene in the indictment, is there?

A. Going back to the Bill of Particulars, I believe, didn't they reference the BTEXcomponents?179

Phillips testified at length to the grand jury, as well as this Court, about John Broussard, even

though Broussard was not indicted with Mr. Vidrine, nor was any of his product involved in the

criminal activity alleged against Mr. Vidrine. Phillips referred to John Broussard as “an

environmental terrorist” while testifying before the grand jury - a statement Agent Vikin testified was

inappropriate, and Agent Langlois testified was not only inappropriate, but factually incorrect.180

Phillips testified before this Court on this issue as follows:

Q. I'd like to just ask you, Agent Phillips, why did you go on and on in this GrandJury about this guy that you described, I think, as an environmental terrorist, this guyBroussard. Why did you go on and on about him?

. . . .

Q. So in other words, you put all this in front of the grand jury in order to basicallyprejudice Mr. Vidrine in the Grand Jury's eyes, didn't you?


Phillips Trial Tr. vol. III, pp. 601-604, June 9, 2011.181

Exhibit P033, 950:11-25, 951:7.182

107

A. I put it in so the Grand Jury would know who Mr. Vidrine was doing businesswith.181

Phillips’ grand jury testimony contained a myriad of additional false and misleading

testimony, flowing from his deliberate manipulation of the facts, and his alleged technical expertise,

such as:

[T]he burning of chlorinated solvents produce[s] what is known as dioxins. Anddioxins are known carcinogens. And the ingestion of dioxins would certainly lenda person to a higher probability of contracting cancer. So they should not be inanything that is going to be used as a fuel.

And that’s the situation we have here, where materials that would be suitableto be used as alternate feedstock, such as a barge bottom, being diesel, being mixedthen with materials which are not suitable for fuel, such as carbon tetrachloride orchloroform or 1-2 dichlorethane. All of these being chlorinated solvents. 182

Agent Phillips provided no support for this statement to the grand jury, or to this Court, and it was

directly contradicted by plaintiffs’ expert, Peter Romanowsky. Furthermore, this statement is

undercut by the EPA regulations themselves, as the used oil regulations clearly contemplate some

presence of halogens, such as chlorinated solvents, as illustrated by the 1000 ppm rebuttable

presumption.

As has already been discussed by this Court, Phillips’ testimony before the grand jury was

that the presence of any amount of chlorinated solvents triggers the application of 42 U.S.C. §6928

(the crime of knowingly storing hazardous waste without a permit) - a statement that was directly

contradicted by plaintiffs’ expert – and even Phillips admitted at trial was incorrect.

Not only did Agent Phillips testify falsely before the grand jury, Agent Phillips misled AUSA

Parker when preparing for his grand jury testimony. Agent Phillips testified:


108

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) The context, Agent Phillips, is that this is July 13, 1999, andyou were going to appear before the Grand Jury on your first appearance, introducingthis case to the Grand Jury the very following day on July 14 , correct?th

A. Yes.

Q. And would it be fair to state that this was, as it says, your case summary toAUSA Parker?

A. It appears to be, yes.

Q. So you're telling him what this case is all about so that he can be prepared to askyou questions in the Grand Jury the follow day, right?

A. Yes, I believe he asked for this.

Q. Okay. And if you look down through here, the drift of what I'm going to beasking you is whether or not this was accurate or whether or not this was misleadingin your description to AUSA Parker, okay? You refer to Tank 402 and a tankertrailer containing a chemical soup?

A. That's correct.

. . . .

Q. . . .That’s not a word that your chief witness, Mike Franklin, used is it?

A. No.

Q. What he said was, thousand parts per million, right?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. Okay. You tell Parker it exhibited the hazardous waste character particular oftoxicity and yet your chief witness, Michael Franklin, who was imparting knowledgeto Vidrine, in your opinion, did not ever use the words hazardous waste characteristicof toxicity, did he?

. . . .

A. No.

Q. Okay. And you tell Parker, in describing this chemical soup, that it was benzene,toluene, xylene, fluorine and other hydrocarbons. Well, number one, none of that's


109

illegal, is it?

A. No.

Q. Those are the things you find in crude oil, aren't they?

A. They are called BTEX components.

Q. Yeah, and you find them in crude oil, don’t you?

A. Yes.

Q. Okay. So that might have sounded like a chemical soup, but it certainly mighthave also misled someone like AUSA Parker who was not an EPA expert like you,right?

. . . .

THE COURT: I'm interested in, however, the sentence that begins the nextparagraph where you say, “Interviews conducted during the investigation haveestablished that chemical brokers had previously warned Canal Refining thatalternate feedstock received from barge cleaning operations contained chlorinatedsolvents and was therefore unsuitable for use as feedstock in refinery operations. Inspite of this warning, Canal Refinery chose to continue to receive alternate feedstockfrom barge cleaning operations such as Trinity Marine.”

WITNESS: Yes, ma'am.

THE COURT: What is the basis of that statement?

WITNESS: That's the Frank -- Michael Franklin's statements to Vidrine about thematerial at Trinity.

. . . .

Q. But it's not the Franklin story. The Franklin story was a thousand parts permillion of chlorinated solvents, not what you put in here. Franklin didn't tell Vidrineto worry about barge cleaning operations, did he?

A. I believe he warned him about Trinity.

Q. He told him there was one sample from one compartment that had over athousand parts per million. Why, I wonder, didn't you just describe it that way toParker?


At this juncture, not only did Phillips have no test results from Franklin or PPL – the lab to183

which Franklin said he had taken the alleged Trinity samples – but Phillips knew the samples taken atCanal on the day the search warrant was executed showed far below the 1000 ppm threshold.

110

A. Because our analytical data we obtained during the search warrant did not reflectthat.183

Q. And even more. All of the analytical data, not just that you got from thesearch warrant, but that Canal got from Tank 402 and that the shipper gotfrom the tanker truck, it all was under a thousand parts per million, right?

. . . .

THE WITNESS: Yes.

. . . .

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) At the bottom of that paragraph, “For alternativefeedstock to be suitable, it must not contain any contaminants, such aschlorinated solvents.” That's just not true, is it?

A. It's a generalized statement.

THE COURT: That's not his question. Is that accurate?

WITNESS: Yes, it is.

THE COURT: It is accurate pursuant to the regulations?

WITNESS: I believe it is.

THE COURT: You believe that is accurate pursuant to the regulations thatalternate feedstock, which would be that which would be used oil, cannotcontain any -- let me rephrase this. That alternate feedstock is defined as anysuitable alternate crude oil, and for alternate feedstock to be suitable it must notcontain any contaminants such as chlorinated solvents, zero amount. That'syour belief, you believe that is true.

WITNESS: No I should not have used “any.”

. . . .

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) And furthermore, sending Parker this memo worked, didn'tit, because the very next day he asked questions, and you put this same false


Phillips Trial Tr. vol. III, 551-555, 557-559, June 9, 2011.184

Although Phillips testified his supervisor had requested he create this document, this Court did185

not find that in any way credible and notes no evidence was presented to substantiate this assertion.

Exhibit P005.186

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testimony in front of the Grand Jury, didn't you?

A. I do not believe this was false testimony.

Q. Well you just said it wasn't accurate. What's the difference?184

Equally egregious is Phillips’ willingness to mislead his supervisors, as evidenced in a letter

dated January 23, 2000 to Phillips’ supervisor in the Dallas office and to the acting director of the

Criminal Investigative Division. In that letter, Agent Phillips requests reference to the U.S. Attorney

for prosecution of Trinity Marine, Hubert Vidrine, Fred McKenzie, and Canal Refinery. This letter,

both in its draft and final form, is a collection of inaccurate assertions and blatant false statements -

not the least of which is that at the time Phillips is ostensibly asking for prosecutorial support to

prosecute Trinity, Vidrine, McKenzie and Canal, Trinity, Vidrine and McKenzie had already been

indicted, Canal never was indicted. The Court finds the letter written by Phillips to his supervisor185

was likely an attempt to create a “paper trail” and mitigate the mess he had created, as by this point,

Phillips was aware the Vidrines had filed this malicious prosecution suit. The letter of referral is

completely devoid of any factual basis that Vidrine (or McKenzie) had committed any crime.

Rather, all information in the letter addresses Trinity Marine, Canal and AFI, and yet, nevertheless,

Phillips includes Hubert Vidrine in the request for prosecution. Equally bizarre is the fact Vidrine

had already been indicted, as had Trinity and McKenzie. The testimony regarding these letters at186

trial indicated to this Court that this was, yet, another attempt by Phillips to, after the fact, create a


At this time Phillips and Barnhill were engaged in their clandestine affair - a fact which187

plaintiffs suggest allowed Phillips to unduly influence the manner in which Barnhill reported to hersupervisors about Franklin.

112

paper trail justifying his continuing prosecution of Hubert Vidrine, when in point of fact there existed

no such justification, nor had there ever existed any such justification.

Additionally, the unique manner in which Agent FBI Barnhill handled Franklin, which

allowed her to have exclusive control over the Franklin information, both positive and negative,

further fostered Phillips’ ability to control and manipulate the information provided to the AUSA

and his supervisors. Barnhill admitted she did not include negative information about Franklin in

her reports, and candidly admitted she should have. Phillips’ reports do not mention Franklin at187

all in any relevant manner. Although Phillips argues he was prohibited from creating any written

references regarding Franklin, he testified he provided this information to his superiors verbally.

However, no such testimony from any supervisor was presented, and this Court notes even his

present supervisor, Agent Vikin, as well as Agent Langlois, who had been Phillips’ supervisor for

a brief time, testified they thought the Vidrine matter grew out of and was the result of, at least in

part, the storage of AFI product. Thus Phillips, aided by the unique relationship created by Barnhill

between the FBI and Franklin, and the sexual relationship shared by Phillips with Barnhill, likely

was able to control or strongly influence what information was disseminated to his and Barnhill’s

superiors and the AUSA as well as the manner in which the information was framed and colored.

2. Agent Phillips’ false statements and false testimony in this matter

Even in this case, Phillips attempted to mislead the AUSA who was previously assigned to

this matter, and to manipulate the facts and information provided to plaintiffs during discovery.

Specifically, plaintiffs issued the following request for admission to the government:


Exh. P011(emphasis added). The remainder of the response reads, in accordance with Agent188

Phillips’ erroneous interpretation of the applicable regulations (see correspondence from Sue Brauer,EPA “used oil” expert - P031, pp. 815-817, Phillips test., p. 133, June 7, 2011), as follows:

The request is denied in so far as it seeks the implicit or inferential admission that theUnited States did no have a sample that confirmed the presence of hazardous wastematerial in Canal Refinery Tank 402. The rebuttable presumption for used oil, as setforth under 40 C.F.R. § 261.3(a)(5), is a regulation that establishes, that unless otherwisesupported, a used oil that has a total concentration of more than 1,000 ppm of halogens isregarded to be a hazardous waste. This regulation establishes a mechanism for personsto rebut this presumption, but it does not prevent any other requirements from applying. Therefore, testing for total halogen concentration is not a standard test that a regulatoryagency, such as the EPA, would conduct.

If a representative sample of a material prepared according to Method 1311 and analyzedfor one of the listed constituents exceeds a concentration listed at 40 C.F.R. § 261.24, itis a hazardous waste. All three samples the EPA collected from Tank 402 exhibited thehazardous characteristic of toxicity for chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, andtetrachloroethene. See Rec. Doc. 40-5 (exhibit 2.A, B, D & F). Likewise, test resultsfrom SPL labs on samples taken from Tank 402 using the TCLP analytical method alsorevealed the characteristic of toxicity as defined in § 261.245. See Rec. Doc. 40-6(exhibit 2.g).

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Please admit or deny the following Request for Admissions, and if denied,provide the information and/or documents requested:

1. Admit that the government never possessed any sample ofthe contents of Canal Refinery Tank 402 that, accordingto a lab report from a certified lab, contained more than1,000 ppm of chlorinated solvents. If you deny the Requestfor Admission in whole or in part please produce a copy ofeach lab report reflecting the contents of each such sample.

On May 15, 2009, the AUSA formerly assigned to this matter responded to plaintiff’s discovery as

follows:

ANSWER: Admitted in part and denied in part as written. The United Statesadmits that it has never possessed a lab report from a certified lab confirmingthat any sample of the contents of Canal Refinery Tank 402 contained morethan 1,000 ppm of chlorinated solvents since a specific test for 1,000 ppm ofchlorinated solvents was never run on samples collected by the United Statesfrom Canal Refinery Tank 402. 188

However, the government had in its possession, since March 3, 2000, (i.e. over nine years


Exh. P031 at 775 (emphasis added).189

Testimony of Mansfield, uncertified transcript, 13:1-21, June 9, 1011.190

114

prior to the false response) a letter from the EPA Regulatory and Technical Expert Guy Tidmore

(who assumed that position once Keith Phillips became an investigative agent), stating in pertinent

part as follows:

I requested the Houston lab to analyze the remaining portion of thesamples collected at Canal for total concentrations of halogens and havereceived that information. The chemists at the lab did this by reevaluating the GasChromatograph/Mass Spectrometer printouts from the original analyses.Concentrations of chlorinated solvents in the samples ranged from non-detectto 692 mg/kg (ppm). 189

The Court, obviously disturbed that such a blatantly false answer, on such a pivotal issue, was

provided by not only an officer of the court, but by a representative of the rights and interests of the

United States citizens, ordered the AUSA previously assigned to this matter, who had provided the

false response, to appear at a hearing in court. When asked how this occurred, the AUSA responded:

THE COURT: . . . So it's Tidmore who said, since a specific test for 1,000 ppm ofchlorinated solvents was never run on samples collected by the United States fromCanal Refinery Tank 402 when he had this letter that he sent to Howard Parkersaying, in fact, a test had been run, in fact, he had a second analysis run on it, and infact, there was a result analysis showing that it was under, it was from nondetect to692 parts per million. Is that what you are telling me?

MR. MANSFIELD: That is what I'm telling you. I relied on Mr. Tidmore toprovide the substantive response. His verification is found at Bates 441 and Mr.Phillips verification is found at Bates 449.

. . . .

THE COURT: So this was a Tidmore/Phillips response provided to you and you wentahead and signed off on it, basically, yes?

MR. MANSFIELD: That is correct. 190


Exh. P011 at 449. Although in the cover letter the AUSA indicates Mr. Tidmore’s191

certification would be forthcoming, the Court has not found it in the voluminous record.

As merely one example, see Agent Barnhil’s handwritten notes from 2000, stating, “Why can’t192

we call it used oil?” Exh. P007 at 337. Additionally, Agent Barnhill testified Agent Phillips“interpreted” the information given by those interviewed before she included that information in her302s.

115

The certification Phillips signed on May 11, 2009 in connection with that discovery

reads as follows:

CERTIFICATION

I, EPA-CID Special Agent Keith Phillips, hereby state that I am authorizedto verify the foregoing Answers to Discovery, that I have reviewed the Discovery andhave assisted in the preparation of the attached Answers to Plaintiff's Discovery; thatto the best of my information and belief, the answers are correct. I declare under,penalty of petjury that the foregoing certification is true and correct under 28U.S.C. § 1746 and Fed. R. Civ. P. 33.191

Agent Phillips’ certification, again made under penalty of perjury, clearly was false, and appears to

this Court to be yet another attempt to, at the very least, conceal highly pertinent information from

persons legally entitled to same.

One of the more distressing allegations made at trial, involved allegations of Agent Phillips’

sexual, extra-marital affair (and its subsequent “cover up”) with Agent Barnhill. The evidence

strongly indicated Agent Phillips deliberately used his investigation and prosecution of Hubert

Vidrine to foster, further, facilitate and cloak his extra-marital affair with Agent Barnhill, and

perhaps, to exert improper influence over the manner in which she investigated and reported upon

this case. Agent Barnhill candidly testified that she and Agent Phillips began a physical, sexual192

relationship while assigned to this matter, which lasted from approximately 1996 until January or

February 2001. Agent Barnhill testified she and Agent Phillips were only physically intimate when

working together on the Vidrine case - in other words, they did not meet to pursue their sexual


When asked about an affair with Agent Barnhill at his deposition, Agent Phillips denied the193

affair and responded, “I've been married 31 years and you don't stay married 31 years by havingextramarital affairs.” At the trial of this matter, upon advice of counsel, Agent Phillips asserted his FifthAmendment privilege when asked about his relationship with Agent Barnhill.

When asked about the affair, Keith Phillips invoked his Fifth Amendment rights:194

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) “Now, what was the relationship between you and Ekko Barnhillduring the course of this investigation?” And did you answer: “Coagents. Sherepresented the FBI. I represented the EPA.”

MR. SPAGNOLETTI [separate counsel for Keith Phillips]: Your Honor, I wouldcounsel Mr. Phillips not to answer that question so as to preserve his Fifth Amendment

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relations on occasions when they were not working the case together. Thus, the case granted the

opportunity for those rendez-vous, as well as providing justification for Agent Phillips wife.

During the investigation and prosecution, Agent Barnhill, who was single, lived in South

Louisiana; Agent Phillips, who was married, lived in Dallas, Texas with his wife. Prior to and at

trial, plaintiffs’ counsel consistently argued Agent Phillips used the Vidrine investigation as a cover,

excuse and opportunity to facilitate his illicit affair with Agent Barnhill and to hide the affair from

his wife. Plaintiffs consistently argued Keith Phillips manufactured a case, both in law and fact,193

against Hubert Vidrine, and carefully fed the AUSA and his supervisors only the information which

would further that end and perpetuate the case, all to promote access to Agent Barnhill and

perpetuate and conceal their illicit affair. Regrettably, the Court agrees with plaintiffs: this

inappropriate and unprofessional behavior likely was, at least in part (if not in whole) a motivation

for Agent Phillips’ continued pursuit of Hubert Vidrine, without probable cause, and certainly with

a complete and total reckless disregard of Hubert Vidrine’s rights. Agent Phillips sought to obtain

private advantage and he acted accordingly.

At trial, each time Agent Phillips was asked about the illicit affair, upon advice of counsel,

he invoked the protections of the Fifth Amendment. While the Court respects Mr. Phillips’ right194


privilege.

THE COURT: I'm going to allow him to stand on his privilege.

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) Was the answer that you gave the truth, the whole truth andnothing but the truth?

MR. SPAGNOLETTI: And Your Honor, once again I will counsel Mr. Phillips not toanswer that question so as to preserve his Fifth Amendment privilege.

THE COURT: I will allow him to stand on the privilege.

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) Agent Phillips, were you thereafter asked the following questionsand did you give the following answers? “Question: Would that fully and completelydescribe the nature of the relationship you had with Agent Barnhill? Answer: We'reclose friends. Question: Does that fully and - - it says close closely, I think it wascompletely - - describe the nature of the relationship many? Answer: Yes, it does.Question: How close? Answer: Working together, we became friends as well as caseagents, period.”

THE COURT: Do you have a question somewhere in there?

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) Yes. The question is: Did you - - were you asked thosequestions, did you give those answers?

MR. SPAGNOLETTI: Your Honor, I would counsel Mr. Phillips not to answer thatquestion so as to reserve his Fifth Amendment privilege.

THE COURT: I will allow him to stand on the privilege.

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) Were those answers the truth, the whole truth, and nothing butthe truth Agent Phillips?

MR. SPAGNOLETTI: Your Honor, I would counsel Mr. Phillips not to answer thatquestion so as to preserve his Fifth Amendment privilege.

THE COURT: I'll allow him to stand on the privilege.

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) Go back to page, Agent Phillips 166. Was the question asked:“Were you also -- and I'm -- I don't enjoy asking this, but it's troubling to me. Are youhaving an affair with her?” And there's some colloquy at which point there is thequestion: “You can answer. Answer: What's the question? Question: Did you have anaffair with her? Answer: No.” Did you give those answers to those questions?

MR. SPAGNOLETTI: Your Honor, at this time I would counsel Mr. Phillips not toanswer that question so as to preserve his Fifth Amendment privilege.

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THE COURT: I'll allow him to stand on the privilege.

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) And were those answers the truth, the whole truth and nothingbut the truth?

MR. SPAGNOLETTI: Your Honor, at this time I'd counsel Mr. Phillips not to answerthat question so as to preserve his Fifth Amendment privilege.

THE COURT: I'm assuming you wish to do that, correct Agent Phillips?


THE COURT: Okay. Then I'll allow you to stand on the privilege.

Q. (By Mr. Cornwell) And did you further complete the answer we just read whichwas, “no,” by stating: “No. I take offense to you even putting that in the record. I'vebeen” -- and then continuing - - “I've been married 31 years, and you don't stay married31 years by having extramarital affairs.” Did you give that answer to that question?

MR. SPAGNOLETTI: Your Honor, I would counsel Mr. Phillips not to answer thatquestion so as to reserve his Fifth Amendment privilege.

THE COURT: That is the position you wish to take.


Phillips Trial Tr. vol. III, pp. 635-638, June 9, 2011.

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to invoke the Fifth Amendment, the Court found Agent Barnhill’s testimony on this issue to be

candid and credible, and therefore, based upon the testimony of Agent Barnhill, the Court finds that

the two agents were engaged in a clandestine sexual affair during much of the criminal investigation.

While the Court need not go so far as to explicitly find Agent Phillips’ dogged and relentless

pursuit of Mr. Vidrine was wholly motivated by his illicit affair, this Court finds it played a role in

that pursuit. The evidence of malice, over and above it’s legal inference, is overwhelming, no matter

the specific motivation in operation.

Equally disturbing (but for the fact that this is a civil matter, and Mr. Vidrine’s liberty is not

at stake) are the lengths Agent Phillips went to, while this case was pending, to cover up the affair.


Barnhill Trial Tr. vol. I, pp. 65-66, June 13, 2011.195

Merely one example - the discovery verification Phillips executed.196

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Agent Barnhill testified Agent Phillips called her prior to her deposition in this matter to advise her

he had been asked about the nature of their relationship at his deposition. Phillips told Agent

Barnhill he had testified “they had had a professional relationship,” and that he had denied the fact

that they had engaged in an extra-marital affair. Additionally, Agent Phillips called Agent Barnhill

a second time, shortly after her deposition, and asked her if she had been asked anything about the

nature of their relationship during her deposition. Agent Barnhill advised him she had not been asked

any such questions. Still seemingly intent on covering up his inappropriate affair - which was highly

relevant and material to these proceedings - Agent Phillips called Agent Barnhill a third time, just

prior to her meeting with the AUSA currently assigned to this matter, to again remind her he had

testified that their relationship during the Vidrine investigation was purely professional. 195

3. Conclusion - Malice

At the trial of this matter, in addition to the inference of malice, evidence was presented

showing Agent Phillip’s malice permeated the criminal and civil proceedings against Hubert Vidrine.

In contrast to the other agents who testified, Agent Phillips’ testimony (like the documents he created

during the criminal investigation), was fraught with “mispeaking”, “over speaking”, internal

contradiction and unexplained inaccuracies. As the Court has also painstakingly discussed, at times

it was outright false. In short, this Court found Keith Phillips’ testimony to be wholly without196

credibility, and is of the opinion he likely engaged in conduct indicative of perjury on more than one

occasion. However, this Court need not make such a finding as it is sufficient for these narrow

purposes to find the conduct of Agent Phillips constituted malice, as defined under the law.


Vidrine testified that he, Vidrine, got hostile and loud with Phillips during the day long197

execution of the search warrant and interviews at Canal, that Phillips was the “bad cop” to Vikin’s “goodcop” during the search at Canal, as well as other instances of animosity between the two.

120

Whether Agent Phillips’ true motives were, as plaintiff’s hypothesize, to have a cover and

vehicle for his illicit sexual affair, whether he had a personal vendetta against Hubert Vidrine,197

whether as a brand new criminal investigator - giddy with the newly minted power and authority he

had previously lacked when serving in a supporting role – or whether a combination of all three, it

is patently clear Agent Phillips lacked the innate judgment and experience necessary to counter his

overzealousness, which unfortunately can arise when one is granted such awesome power over the

lives and liberties of others. Agent Phillips never stopped to consider the very significant legal

ramifications which automatically occurred when he shifted the focus from AFI, convicted of,

essentially, laundering hazardous waste, to Trinity, a company who at worst engaged in poor

housekeeping. Thereafter, and after the fact, he set about trying to make the facts fit the law as he

defined it, or to make the law fit the facts he thought he could sculpt, perhaps in order to conceal

his rookie mistakes, or perhaps to perpetuate an investigation which had become the vehicle for his

sexual assignations. Which of these particular motivations was truly at play, or whether it was a

combination of all of the above, is a question this Court need not, specifically determine, as that

mystery is Agent Phillips’ alone to reveal. It is sufficient for this Court to find Keith Phillips set out

with a flagrant and reckless disregard of the rights of Hubert Vidrine, in that he deliberately

controlled and skewed the investigation, falsified and sculpted reports and requests made to his

superiors, mislead the prosecutor, gave patently false testimony under oath to the grand jury, made

false verifications to this Court, all the while taking advantage of the opportunity he created to

pursue his clandestine sexual affair with Agent Barnhill.


Exhibit D 91 at 2282.198

121

Based upon all of the foregoing, this Court finds the government has not overcome the

inference of malice. Rather, the Court finds in his dogged and relentless pursuit of Hubert Vidrine

not only did Keith Phillips act with malice and a very disturbing, complete and total disregard of

Mr. Vidrine’s Constitutional rights, but he also debased his role as an agent for and of his

government, sorely abused the power that role granted him, and all the while exhibited a disdain

bordering on contempt for the legal system within which he, as an agent of the government, was

selected to operate. Phillips showed no compunction for his “misspeaking” or “over speaking,” and

he engaged in obfuscation at every turn. His clear disregard for the oaths taken before the grand jury,

in connection with his verification, and at his deposition is alarming, if not criminal, and each of

those instances of false testimony bore directly upon matters material to this civil case. Such

conduct, in and of itself, illustrates an appalling disregard for the truth and evidences a hidden

agenda so clearly at play, as to leave this Court with no doubt, whatsoever, of Keith Phillips’

malicious intent.

C. Agent Phillips controlled the investigation and prosecution

After review of all evidence, having heard all testimony, and having heard the arguments of

counsel, this Court finds Phillips intentionally controlled the criminal prosecution of Vidrine by

shading, filtering, and manipulating and concealing the information necessary for the Assistant

United States attorney to conduct a proper and honorable prosecution. Hubert Vidrine’s criminal198

defense attorney, Jim McManus (now an AUSA in the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette

Division, and like Parker, highly respected), testified AUSA Parker was the “go to guy” in the

Lafayette office for environmental crimes. Canal attorney Shaun Clarke, with the firm of Liskow


As previously discussed, RCRA is an exceedingly complicated, technical, and very poorly199

drafted body of regulatory law, over which Agent Phillips purportedly had expertise.

Actually, Phillips did not make this admission until after a very lengthy and detailed cross-200

examination by plaintiffs’ counsel on this topic. Initially, when asked at trial about Parker’s statement(made at a hearing in the criminal case) that the prosecution could not go forward if the court prohibitedFranklin from testifying, Agent Phillips testified he disagreed with Parker’s assessment, because “[he]believed that Andrew Hanson, an employee with Trinity Marine, could provide 75% of Mr. Franklin’stestimony.” [Phillips Trial Tr. vol I, p. 148] Phillips later conceded the case could not go forward withoutFranklin’s testimony, because that was the only evidence of knowledge on the part of Vidrine. Whenasked on the second day of trial if he still wished the case had gone forward on the basis of Franklin’shearsay (despite the trial judge having found that Franklin’s testimony, without the reports to back it up,was not only hearsay, but would have been an error of Constitutional concern, namely the ConfrontationClause), Phillips responded, “Yes.” Of further note and interest is the fact that when a request was madeto appeal the criminal court’s ruling barring Franklin from testifying, the request was summarily denied

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and Lewis, made the following assessment concerning AUSA Howard Parker: “Mr. Parker is a

respected career prosecutor, and I felt that he dealt candidly with me in the meeting.”199

Unfortunately however, Parker as the AUSA, relied upon Keith Phillips as his investigating agent

and a former technical and regulatory consultant, to supply the facts flowing from the investigation

and to give regulatory interpretation and assistance in applying the facts to these very technical

environmental regulations. As Jim McManus testified, the AUSA properly relies heavily on his case

agent, particularly in highly technical areas. Sadly, the documents presented establish that at every

turn, Phillips manipulated the flow and nature of the information fed to the AUSA. When Phillips

was no longer able to suppress and manipulate the facts, or the flow of information - particularly

when he could no longer keep up the caricature of Franklin that he had created, and Franklin’s story,

credibility, and trustworthiness were called into true question - Parker, correctly and astutely, pointed

out the dwindling options to his agents. And yet, Phillips moved forward with conviction, going so

far as to testify to this Court that it was not until after the investigation of the information obtained

from Franklin during hypnosis failed to locate the missing Franklin reports, that he, Phillips, agreed

the indictment should have been dismissed. 200


by the Solicitor General.

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Phillips directly, and through his influence over Barnhill, controlled the reporting, sculpted

the facts, and with the help of Tidmore, provided a tortured interpretation of the law and facts for

his own personal reasons and with alarming reckless disregard for the rights of Hubert Vidrine, the

judicial process at play, and the oath he took as an agent of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The correspondence to and from AUSA Parker and Phillips, as well as Parker’s request that Tidmore

draft a response to Canal’s attorneys, are but two pieces of the evidence presented at this very

lengthy and document intensive trial which illustrate that the investigatory agents acted to mislead

the AUSA. Further evidence is found in the correspondence Parker sent Phillips and Barnhill on

February 26, 2001, requesting that she and Phillips “bring the 302s” to a meeting in Lafayette.

Although Agent Barnhill testified the Franklin 302s resided in the AUSA’s office, the February 26,

2001 document belies that testimony.

Agent Barnhill testified that in her preparation of her 302s, Barnhill allowed Phillips “to

interpret” for her the information provided by the witness, again, granting Phillips the opportunity

to shade and sculpt the reporting, a point driven home by numerous example on cross examination

by counsel for plaintiffs, not the least of which is the telling shift in languaging from “over 1000

ppm” to “presence of chlorinated solvents” and “hot.” As Agent Barnhill testified in this Court:

Q: In fact, you even told me in your deposition that Agent Phillips would often timessuggest wording for your FD-302s when it was a technical issue like this sort of thingthat was regulatory, right?

A: That’s true.

. . .

WITNESS: He would suggest wording trying to explain – and again, he was justtrying to explain to me the technical aspect of, as I was writing it. I was gong to write


Barnhill Trial Tr. vol. II, pp. 202, 206, June 14, 2011.201

Exhibit P007, bate stamp 377.202

124

the same thing I would always write. I just want to understand when I’m writing thisdown of whatever the WITNESS was telling me. Yeah, I was certainly going todocument what the WITNESS told me. I just wanted a better understanding fromhim, from Mr. Phillips, what exactly does this mean? That doesn’t mean I waswriting what Mr. Phillips was saying. It means I was writing what the WITNESSwas saying, but I would ask Mr. Phillips, what does this mean?201

Agent Barnhill’s entry in her handwritten notes – “why can’t we call it used oil” – only provides202

further support for this Court’s conclusion of Phillips’ manipulation of the facts. Phillips’ reports

to his supervisors were few, riddled with glaring omissions, relevant inaccuracies, patently obvious

internal contradictions. While the evidence strongly suggest his superiors were not providing the

level of oversight necessarily required over a rookie agent, Phillips’ manipulation of the facts only

made such a task even more difficult and complex. One should recall, Franklin, Phillips proclaimed

key witness is wholly absent in all particulars from any reports of Phillips to his superiors and no

evidence was presented, beyond Phillips’ unsupported assertion, of any verbal communication on

the subject having been given to a supervisor. Consequently, Phillips made no mention of Franklin,

exerted influence and control over what Barnhill reported by telling Barnhill “what the witness

meant” and Phillips and Barnhill, for whatever reason, kept the 302s in their possession.

Furthermore, and again, illustrative of the pattern of control at play, Agent Barnhill created

a special agency relationship with Franklin. A relationship which allowed her and Phillips, with

whom she was having an illicit sexual affair, and upon whom she relied “to interpret” the technical

aspects of what those she interviewed told her, to create a circle of control, interpretation and

dissemination of the evidence. Phillips provided Parker with only that information he desired, and

sculpted that information by way of selection and omission, in order to allow only the conclusions


125

he desired to be drawn from those facts. As is illustrated by the discussion of this Court of the

applicable and relevant regulations involved, this particular regulatory area is less than clear,

extremely complex and quite technical. The AUSA was wholly justified in relying upon his case

agent and technical and regulatory expert to guide him and to provide technical interpretation of the

interplay between and among the complex and less than clear regulatory scheme and the known

facts. Phillips skewed both, the facts and the law, and this Court finds he did so for his own

purposes and with reckless disregard of Hubert Vidrine’s rights.

VII. Damages

Plaintiffs seek damages for the following: costs and attorneys fees incurred in defending the

original criminal prosecution, loss of earning capacity, lost income, damages to reputation, emotional

distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, and loss of consortium. Plaintiffs

admit their damages cannot exceed $5,180,929.18, as that is the amount of damages asserted in their

administrative claim. [See e.g. Doc. 244, p. 5] Additionally, at the trial of this matter, plaintiffs

affirmed in open court that their claims for damages are limited to only those damages incurred

between the years 2000 and 2010. Furthermore, at trial, the parties stipulated that the cost and

expenses incurred by the Vidrine’s in defending the criminal prosecution is $127,000.00.

A. Loss of earning capacity

1. Applicable Law

Under Louisiana law there is a distinction between loss of future earnings (wages) and

loss of future earning capacity:

Loss of earning capacity is not the same as lost wages. Rather, earning capacity refersto a person's potential. Earning capacity is not necessarily determined by actualloss. While the plaintiff's earnings at the time of the accident may be relevant, suchfigures are not necessarily indicative of his past or future lost earning capacity. The


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plaintiff need not be working or even in a certain profession to recover this type ofaward. What is being compensated is the plaintiff's lost ability to earn a certainamount, and he may recover such damages even though he may never have seenfit to take advantage of that capacity.

Batiste v. New Hampshire Ins. Co., 657 So.2d 168, 170 (La. App. 3 Cir. 1995) (citing Hobgood v.rd

Aucoin, 574 So.2d 344 (La.1990)).

An award for loss of future earning capacity is not predicated only on the differencebetween a person's earnings before and after the disabling injury. It encompasses theloss of the person's potential or earning capacity, the loss or reduction of aperson's capability to do that for which he is equipped by nature, training, andexperience, and for which he may be recompensed.

Bell v. Ayio, 731 So.2d 893, 903 (La. App. 1 Cir.1998) (citing Morris v. State, Department ofst

Transportation, 664 So.2d 1192, 1198 (La. App. 1 Cir. 1995).st

Pursuant to Louisiana law, lost future earnings does not have to be proven to a

mathematical certainty, however, a plaintiff must present evidence which proves that a loss

of earning capacity has, in fact, been sustained. Jordan v. Travelers Ins. Co., 245 So.2d 151, 155

(La. S. Ct. 1971); Bell at 903 (citing Housley v. Cerise, 597 So.2d 71, 74 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1992);th

see also Bize v. Boyer, 408 So.2d 1309, 1311-12 (La.1982). “[P]roof by direct or circumstantial

evidence is sufficient to constitute a preponderance, when, taking the evidence as a whole, such

proof shows that the fact or causation sought to be proved is more probable than not.” Jordan, supra.

Such evidence “may even consist of plaintiff’s own reasonable testimony, if accepted as

truthful,” without “corroborative evidence such as income tax returns or employment records.”

Jordan at 154, 155.

The Courts further clarify that the very nature of lost earning capacity makes it impossible

to measure the loss with any kind of mathematical certainty. Batiste, 657 So.2d at 170 (citing

Finnie, 620 So.2d 897, 901 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1993)). See also Theriot v. Allstate Ins. Co., 625 So.2dth


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1337, 1344 (La. 1993) (La. Supreme Court “recognize[s] the difficulty inherent in fixing damages

for limitation and/or loss of vocational opportunity.”) Louisiana Courts instruct the general

considerations which should be observed: the trial court should consider whether and how much

plaintiff's current condition disadvantages him in the work force, what plaintiff might have bene able

to have earned but for his injuries, and what he may now earn given his resulting condition. Batiste,

657 So.2d at 170 (citing Finnie, 620 at 897). Additionally, specific factors a court should consider

(relevant to this matter) are: the plaintiff's condition prior to the accident, his work record prior to

and after the accident, his previous earnings, the likelihood of his ability to earn a certain amount but

for the accident, and the plaintiff's employment opportunities before and after the accident. Batiste,

657 So.2d at 170 (citing Finnie, supra).

This Court notes the Louisiana Supreme Court has permitted awards for loss of future

earning capacity without requiring the testimony of vocational and economic experts. See e.g.

Jordan at 154, 155.

2. Analysis

Mr. Vidrine started High Tide Traders and Consultants in mid-1996. High Tides was a sole

proprietorship that brokered various petroleum related products, such as blended stock, additives,

MTBE, ethanol, transmix, used oil, and related products. High Tides additionally offered the

consulting services of Mr. Vidrine, and Vidrine, through High Tides, worked as a consultant for

Ashland Chemical, in connection with a refinery patent jointly developed by Mr. Vidrine and

Ashland. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Vidrine ran High Tides out of his home office. In 1998, Mr.

Vidrine purchased a second business - Weston’s Meat Market and Grocery - and began running High

Tides from his office at the grocery store. Mr. Vidrine testified he enjoyed being a broker, because


Vidrine, June 17, 2011.203

In fact, Mr. Vidrine testified in the spring of 1996, he informed Canal he intended to leave and204

start his own brokerage business. However, Canal intended to close down the refinery, asked Vidrine tostay on until the final closure of the refinery, and gave him its blessing to start his brokerage business onthe side. Mr. Vidrine agreed to stay with Canal under those conditions.

Vidrine, p. 39, June 17, 2011.205

Vidrine, pp. 38-39, June 17, 2011.206

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it was “a fun business,” he could meet and help a lot of people, and Mr. Vidrine is “the kind of guy

that likes to meet a lot of people.” Mr. Vidrine testified he had always intended for High Tides203

Trader and Consultants to be his primary source of income upon his retirement from Canal. High204

Tides, however, essentially shut down in April of 1999, when Vidrine received a target letter from

the EPA; the final nail in High Tide’s coffin was hammered when an indictment was returned against

Mr. Vidrine for knowingly storing hazardous waste at Canal Refinery, hidden in used oil, without

a permit.

Mr. Vidrine’s testimony, which this Court found credible, was that his intention was to

expand High Tides, by growing Weston’s Meat Market and Grocery, such that he could get a line

of credit (secured by Weston’s) to purchase High Tide’s product up front. Without a minimum of

a $100,000 revolving line of credit, Mr. Vidrine was limited to small deals that he could either pay

for himself, or through “good faith brokering,” which only provided him with sufficient credit to

move small amounts of product in a business where profit is largely driven by volume. Buying205

the product up front would have enabled Mr. Vidrine to reduce his up front costs and increase the

volume of product he purchased, which would have allowed him to “really start[] marketing large

volumes of everything from used oil to finished product.” Without a line of credit (or a large206

amount of cash), Mr. Vidrine was unable to buy large loads of product, such as barge loads, big


Mr. Vidrine additionally started selling real estate during this time period.207

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tanker loads, or railroad car loads, and thus, as the profit largely was determined by the volume

involved, his earning capacity was limited. High Tides was operable and preparing to expand when

Mr. Vidrine received the target letter in this case. At that time, he was convinced he would “beat the

indictment,” but he slowed down his trading through High Tides, because he felt he was “under a

microscope with the EPA.” Once he was indicted, however, the companies with whom High Tides

did business would no longer return his phone calls, and he became a pariah in his own industry.

Accordingly, Mr. Vidrine turned his attention to Weston’s in order to survive financially.

The Vidrine’s agreed to purchase Weston’s Meat Market and Grocery on New Year’s 1997,

and took over an existing business at that time, although the sale was not completed until February

of 1998. At the time of purchase, Weston’s was a small mom-and-pop gas station in a small, rural

area of South Louisiana. Mr. Vidrine did indeed eventually obtain the desired $100,000 line of

credit, secured by Weston’s, however, this did not occur until early 2000 - after High Tides had

crumbled. Accordingly, rather than using the line of credit for High Tides as the Vidrines had

initially planned, it was used to expand Weston’s and start new related businesses. The Vidrines207

soon turned Weston’s and their other ventures into thriving businesses, including a grocery store,

meat market, deli, restaurant, and bar with video poker machines. The Vidrine’s doubled Weston’s

revenue within one year of owning it. As the years passed and Weston’s became more successful,

the bank increased their line of credit to several hundred thousand dollars.

The Court found the testimony of Mr. Vidrine credible that he could have operated High

Tides, as well as his other businesses concurrently, particularly as he had help running his other

businesses - Mrs. Vidrine, a bookkeeper by trade, did the accounting, the Vidrines’ son and daughter-


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in-law helped out in the Weston and Weston-related businesses, the Vidrines employed a store

manager and a restaurant manager. Furthermore, at the time of High Tide’s demise, Mr. Vidrine was

running High Tides out of his office at Weston’s, and consequently, he would have been physically

located at Weston’s while conducting the majority of his oil brokerage business. Vidrine further

testified that a High Tide’s brokerage transaction typically took only 20 to 30 minutes of telephone

calls to complete and they were not a “daily deal.” Because of the contacts Mr. Vidrine had made

through his many years in the industry, as well as through his more recent consulting and patent

work with Ashland, Vidrine’s travel time involved in his oil business was minimized.

Although the government pointed out at trial that many of the companies High Tides had

done business with were no longer in business, the Court, after hearing several days of testimony

from the Vidrines, observing the evidence of the entrepreneurial spirit exhibited by Mr. Vidrine

when he was forced to turn his attention away from the oil industry and to the Weston businesses,

finds it is more likely than not that Mr. Vidrine would have made new connections while running

High Tides, had the indictment not destroyed High Tides and effectively shut Mr. Vidrine out of the

petroleum industry. Moreover, Mr. Vidrine had only a one and a half year period to initiate, build

and operate High Tides full time before the target letter and indictment caused its demise.

Accordingly, the Court is not persuaded that High Tides would be out of business today, merely

because many of the contacts Mr. Vidrine had from 1996 until December of 1999 are no longer in

the petroleum industry. To the contrary, the evidence of Mr. Vidrine’s work ethic and

entrepreneurial skills (exhibited by the success created in the Weston businesses and his patent

related endeavors) convince this Court High Tides would have evolved and grown as did Vidrine’s

other businesses. This Court specifically finds the evidence establishes Mr. Vidrine is not the kind


Furthermore, many of the business entities referenced during the liability phase of this case, at208

some point in time over the lengthy investigation and prosecution, changed names, were bought out bynew companies, or ceased to exist, which further emphasizes the fluid nature of this particular niche ofthe petroleum industry. As the evidence also showed, Mr. Vidrine adapted with the changing nature ofthe industry. (Merely one example of this is the testimony of Hubert Vidrine that he recognized,beginning in late 1995, that due to changes in EPA regulations unrelated to the regulations at issue in thiscase, that Canal Refinery would not remain a profitable entity much longer; accordingly, he started HighTides.)

Vidrine, p. 47, June 20, 2011.209

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of man who would have “given up” when a brokerage customer left the industry, rather, he would

have evolved with that change, as he did with the Weston businesses. The evidence has shown Mr.

Vidrine is not a man who sits around feeling sorry for himself – he works, and he finds ways to make

things work.208

Mr. Vidrine testified that after he was indicted, people would not return his phone calls and

would not see him when he called for an appointment. Furthermore, at the time he was indicted, he

was conducting the business on “good faith” brokerage deals - i.e. “good faith between the people

I bought from and sold to, to collect the money and pay on time.” This Court accepts Vidrine’s209

testimony that people were no longer going to, and in fact they did not, extend their “good faith” to

a person who was accused of violating the environmental laws which governed that particular

industry; nor were they going to trust an indicted man’s word on whether or not product was clean;

nor were they going to do business with a person who they feared might bring the EPA and DEQs

attention upon them. Thus, this Court finds, as of the target letter and indictment, Mr. Vidrine’s

ability to earn a living within that industry was effectively destroyed.

The court further finds, because Mr. Vidrine did obtain his line of credit, but for the

Indictment, he could and would have used that line of credit to expand High Tides as he testified,

by making the larger more profitable high volume “deals”- i.e. deals for larger amounts of product


Although plaintiffs did not carry their burden to allow award of the amount of “lost income”210

from Ashland that they sought, they did present sufficient evidence to show High Tide suffered a loss ofearning capacity regarding Ashland, or other such companies, due to the government’s maliciousprosecution of Hubert Vidrine.

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purchased by Vidrine, rather than only the smaller deals made on “good faith.” Additionally, Mr.

Vidrine’s ability to parlay the consulting work High Tides he had begun with Ashland into further

business endeavors with Ashland or other such companies, was also taken from him. When one210

factors in the Court’s finding that the evidence shows Mr. Vidrine is a true entrepreneur, an

extremely hard worker very talented in his field, had developed two petroleum related patents, and

had an established reputation in the petroleum industry prior to the indictment (as evidenced, merely

in part, by the fact that he ran High Tides on “good faith brokering,” and his work history with Canal

and Ashland) - the Court finds Mr. Vidrine would have expanded High Tides into a thriving

company, just as he did with his numerous other businesses, but for the indictment. However, the

opportunity to participate in any meaningful fashion in the oil industry was taken from him with the

indictment. While this Court cannot know with absolute certainty, what he might have eventually

created through High Tides, that is not the question before this Court at this juncture. Rather, what

is pertinent, is that Mr. Vidrine lost the capacity to run and expand High Tides and to create and

increase his earnings in that industry. This Court finds once the indictment issued, he essentially

became a pariah in the oil industry and all earning capacity within that industry was lost.

Plaintiffs argue that once High Tides was collateralized, the revenue generated from High

Tides would have substantially increased, and the Court finds, based upon the evidence presented,

that argument is persuasive. This Court finds it is reasonable and supported by the evidence, to

accept the potential for Vidrine’s oil business, by way of High Tides, to have moved to a different

plane and level of profit, with proper collateralization. Consequently, this Court finds it reasonable


133

to infer (and a conservative inference at that) Mr. Vidrine’s profit would have moved to that

reflective of the higher volume trade, and at a minimum the profit would have doubled once he

obtained collateralization through his line of credit. This particular industry is based on volume, and

Vidrine’s capacity to do substantially larger volume “deals” would have further increased

proportionately with the subsequent increase in the line of credit. The Court finds a beginning

baseline to evaluate Mr. Vidrine’s lost earning capacity for his brokerage and consulting activities

in High Tides’ in the 1998 tax records, as prior to that, he was still working for Canal full-time, and

only brokering part-time, and in 1999 he worked only half a year due to the target letter followed by

the indictment. In 1998, the fledgling company, High Tides had a net profit of $42,176.00 without

a line of credit. Once the $100,000 line of credit was in place, High Tides’ available cash would

have increased proportionately. As the line increased, the profits would have increased as well.

Plaintiffs have limited their damages to those incurred between the years 2000 and 2010,

thus, the Court will consider High Tides net profits from 1998, increased by collateralization, and

apply that figure over the ten (10) year period, as a guide in assessing his loss of earnings capacity.

The line of credit which Mr. Vidrine obtained was eventually increased from $100,000 to “several

hundred thousand dollars,” thus, the possible level of purchase might have, again, increased,

although it is not clear whether this increase was or was not within the relevant ten year period.

Nonetheless, as the profit within the brokerage business was volume driven and thus, limited and

expanded by the amount of money or credit one had available to buy product for re-sale, as that

ability to buy increased, i.e. one’s credit limit increased, so would the possible volume and hence,

the possible profit. Consequently, once the credit line was again increased, so did the capacity to

earn increase; yet that opportunity was stolen. Thus, for the ten year period at issue, this Court finds


See Court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law, Trans. pp. 215-241, June 21, 2011; pp. 16-211

21, 33-35, June 22, 2011.

Unfortunately, though the Court recognizes this number might be far too low to reflect the212

reality of the situation, it was all that was affirmatively proven.

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the resultant loss and damage to Mr. Vidrine’s earning capacity was increased. Consequently, the

Court finds Mr. Vidrine suffered a lost earning capacity in the amount of $843,520.00 for the period

before the second increase in his line of credit and that an additional increase in possible earning

would have occurred with the additional increase in his line of credit. Consequently, this Court finds

there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of a total loss of earnings capacity over the ten year

period of $900,000.00.

2. Lost income

At trial, the Court granted in part the government’s motion, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 52(c),

in the following particulars: the motion was granted to the extent it sought a dismissal of plaintiff’s

claims for loss of income and loss of earning capacity with respect to the consulting work plaintiff

performed for Ashland Chemical. The motion was denied in all other aspects.211

As to the remainder of plaintiff’s claim for lost income (i.e. that portion of High Tides

revenue not generated by consulting work with Ashland), once expenses were subtracted, the Court

found plaintiffs carried their burden only to show, by a preponderance of evidence, that of the three

to four years High Tides was in existence, it earned, collectively, a net amount of $20,000.00, given

the realities under which it operated. Accordingly, the Court finds Mr. Vidrine suffered a loss of212

actual income, for the years 2000 through 2010, of $50,000.00.

3. General Damages: damages to reputation, emotional distress, mental anguish,

loss of enjoyment of life, and humiliation.

Mr. Vidrine learned he had been indicted by hearing it on the radio; Mrs. Vidrine learned of


The Court recognizes Mrs. Vidrine has brought only a claim for loss of consortium (and213

indeed, pursuant to Louisiana law, she is restricted to only that claim). Nevertheless, it is difficult todiscuss the general damages Mr. Vidrine suffered in a vacuum, because the testimony at trial, like theirlives together, was so intertwined. However, the Court wishes to be clear, that any damages awarded inthis section are limited solely to those incurred by Mr. Vidrine. Mrs. Vidrine’s damages will be addressedin the following section, entitled “loss of consortium.”

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her husband’s indictment by hearing it on the television news. Mrs. Vidrine testified when Mr.213

Vidrine called her, “he sounded awful;” Mr. Vidrine testified he was “torn apart” and “just shocked.”

Because news of the indictment was reported in the newspaper and on the television news (both their

local and Lafayette channels), and because the nature of their businesses at that point had shifted to

the service industry - i.e. a grocery store, meat market, deli, gas station, restaurant, etc. -the Vidrines

were constantly in the local public eye, dealing with the public. Neighbors and members of their

small community were asking them, again and again, about the indictment and the details of the

criminal case. The Vidrines testified many people in their small community just assumed Mr.

Vidrine was a criminal, merely because he had been indicted. Both felt genuine humiliation,

discomfort and embarrassment. The Vidrines changed their heretofore open and active life within

their community and began staying home; they stopped going out together as frequently, because

they feared people in their small community would recognize Mr. Vidrine or want to discuss his

legal problems, or they would have to endure the judgment of their friends and neighbors. On the

few occasions they did have an evening out together, the criminal case was the only topic of

conversation. Once news of the indictment spread, the Vidrines felt as if they “had a fall from

grace.” The Vidrines went from being well respected and well liked community leaders to objects

of diversion and curiosity.

Mrs. Vidrine testified her husband would wake up thinking about his legal troubles, and

would go to bed “still thinking about them.” Mr. Vidrine testified the criminal case was always on


Trial Day 9, June 17, 2011.214

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his mind, and it was all the two talked about – it defined and governed their lives publically and

privately. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vidrine testified Mr. Vidrine became depressed, frightened, and

constantly worried about his family, his business, and his marriage. Mr. Vidrine testified it was very

difficult for him to watch the emotional and mental impact his legal situation had on his wife,

because he “could fight,” whereas “she was just basically seeing me suffer and it was very hard on

her, very hard.” 214

Mr. Vidrine testified he was particularly frightened about what would happen to his wife and

family if he went to prison, as he was the breadwinner in the family. The Vidrines did not know if

Mrs. Vidrine would be able to pay the large criminal fines they anticipated if Mr. Vidrine were to

be convicted, particularly as all of their savings and income were rapidly being diminished due to

his attorneys fees. Both testified he became even more of a “workaholic” than he had previously

been, not only to keep his mind occupied, but to try to save enough money to support his wife if he

were to go to prison. However, each testified most of the money their businesses were earning was

going to pay his attorney. Mr. Vidrine testified he and his wife were in constant fear that if he was

convicted of a felony, they would lose their gambling license, video poker license, liquor licenses,

and food stamp license - which were essential to their businesses - because each of those licenses

was in Mr. Vidrine’s name. They both believed the loss of those licenses would have destroyed their

only remaining sources of income.

They both testified their sexual relations, also, were greatly diminished during this time

period; what had been a loving, consistent physical relationship was effectively lost.

Finally, Mr. Vidrine testified:


Technically, Mr. Vidrine was on pretrial supervision and not probation, however, to the215

Vidrines (and likely to most innocent lay persons) that is a distinction without a difference. While adefendant who is released on pretrial supervision certainly has far more freedom than one who is ordereddetained, such freedom is nevertheless limited. A defendant's ability to travel is nearly always restrictedor precluded (as was Mr. Vidrine’s) pending adjudication of a criminal action. One’s right to possessfirearms is almost always completely restricted during the pendency of a criminal action when one isreleased on conditions involving pretrial supervision. One's right to be free from searches of person andproperty without warrants in violation of the Fourth Amendment can be greatly circumscribed duringpretrial release. One must report to and check n with one’s pretrial services officer - as did Mr. Vidrine,and one must abide by all conditions of pretrial release or risk incarceration.

Vidrine, pp. 180-181, June 16, 2011.216

137

I served three-and-a-half years federal probation. I get reminded of that every time215

I go by that second floor, and I had to go there every month and report. I have to tellthem they want to know your financial report every month and couldn't leave thecountry, forget that. If you leave the state you had to call and report. When youleave, when you come back or get written permission and you are basically in jail.You're basically under house arrest.216

Hubert Vidrine’s life was radically changed in all aspects at the moment of indictment.

Although Mr. Vidrine did not seek counseling or medication for the depression and emotional

problems which resulted, this Court finds that is not surprising given Mr. Vidrine’s character

established by his testimony and conduct during indictment – Hubert Vidrine is an independent,

hard-working, scrappy, almost stereotypical Cajun gentleman. He is not the sort of fellow who is

likely to visit a “nerve doctor.” This Court finds based upon the testimony and evidence received that

Hubert Vidrine suffered damage to his reputation and standing in his small, insular community,

extreme humiliation, significant limitation to his freedom, radical shifts to his day to day life,

genuine deterioration to his marriage and physical relationship with his wife, depression and

emotional distress (played out by throwing himself into building Weston’s and the related

businesses), and demonstrable loss of enjoyment of his life as a result of this malicious prosecution.

Mr. Vidrine was stripped of perhaps his most valuable asset, his good name, and the consequence

of that may never be fully ameliorated - it certainly was not during the relevant ten year period.


As the McGee court further notes:217

A family member's detrimental alteration in lifestyle, i.e. loss of enjoyment of life,results from the diminished relationship with the primary tort victim and therefore isalready compensated with an award for loss of consortium. Hence, a wife's claim that sheis unable to engage in activities that she formerly enjoyed prior to her husband's injury,such as taking vacations, attending sporting events, or dancing, is compensated underloss of consortium and need not be compensated again under loss of enjoyment of life.Allowing family members to recover for both their loss of consortium and their loss ofenjoyment of life would be duplicative and would not be authorized by La. C.C. art.2315(B).

Id. at 779.

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Based on the foregoing, this Court hereby awards $400,000.00 as compensation for these damages.

4. Loss of consortium

Pursuant to Louisiana law, a cause of action exists for “loss of consortium, service, and

society” for the spouse of an injured victim. See e.g. Ferrell v. Fireman’s Fund Inc. Co., 696 So.2d

569, 573 (La. 1997). “The compensable elements of a claim for loss of consortium . . . include loss

of love and affection, loss of companionship, loss of material services, loss of support, impairment

of sexual relations, loss of aid and assistance, and loss of felicity.” Id. (citing Choyce v. Sisters of

Incarnate Word, 642 So.2d 287 (La. 2 Cir.1994)). Loss of consortium is designed to compensatend

the primary tort victim’s family members for their diminished relationship with the primary tort

victim. McGee v. A C and S, Inc., 933 So.2d 770, 779 (La. 2006).217

Mr. and Mrs. Vidrine were married on November 9, 1974. Neither had been previously

married. They have two adult children. Mrs. Vidrine testified once the indictment issued, her

husband threw himself into his work and pulled away from their marriage. Mr. Vidrine became even

“more of a workaholic” than he had been pre-indictment, and was perpetually absent, if not

physically, emotionally. They no longer did things together they had before, such as travel, shop,

gardening, riding bikes, and exercise. Prior to the indictment, the two were “best friends;” post-


The only other time she had taken anti-depressants was in 1993 or 1994, for about two years,218

after an automobile accident which “caused a lot of pain and depression.”

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indictment, Mr. Vidrine “was not in the mood to do anything with her” and spent most of his time

with his attorneys, working, or just by himself. Their sexual relations drastically decreased because

they were always worried, frightened, depressed and overwhelmed. As a result of the changes in their

lives and in the community, Mrs. Vidrine had difficulty concentrating, became irritable and

impatient, and would make errors in the bookkeeping work she did at their business in the evenings -

thus, compounding the tension in the Vidrine’s already strained relationship. Ultimately, the

indictment and changes in their lives led Mrs. Vidrine to seek medical help and she was prescribed

anti-depressants, which she took from December 1999 until 2003. Mrs. Vidrine testified she shut218

the people who were important to her out of her life - her parents, siblings, and loved ones. She did

not want to leave the house, she could not sleep, and eventually had to take medication to help her

sleep. She gained weight due to her depression, and the depression caused her to stop exercising,

further compounding the difficulties in their further strained relationship. Mrs. Vidrine testified she

felt like they were “treated as criminals,” due to the restrictions placed upon Mr. Vidrine by pre-trial

services, restricting his (and thus her) ability to travel unless approved by pretrial services. This

Court finds based upon the testimony heard and evidence received that Mrs. Vidrine suffered a loss

of the love and affection she and her high school sweetheart had shared before the indictment. Mr.

Vidrine withdrew leaving Mrs. Vidrine without her long time companion, and the emotional support

he had always, heretofore, provided. Material services, aid and assistance heretofore provided by

Mr. Vidrine were now missing, as was their comfortable sexual life once shared. In short, Mrs.

Vidrine experienced a genuine loss of felicity and a radical shift in her life with her chosen life

partner.


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In light of the evidence presented as to Mrs. Vidrine’s loss of consortium, the Court hereby

awards $200,000.00 in compensatory damages.

Accordingly, the total recovery in this matter is as follows:

A. Lost income..........................................................................................................$50,000.00

B. Loss of earning capacity.......................................................................................$900,000.00

C. Costs and attorneys fees incurred in defending the original criminal prosecution...........................................................$127,000.00

D General Damages................................................................................................$400,000.00

E. Loss of consortium.............................................................................................$200,000.00

Total Award: $1,677,000.00

VIII. Note of Evidence

This Court leaves open the note of evidence and resolution of plaintiffs’ oral motion for

sanctions and costs, based upon the government’s response to plaintiffs’ Request for Admission.

Plaintiffs are ORDERED to submit a memorandum in support of their oral motion (as well as an

affidavit) within thirty days of issuance of this ruling. Should the government wish to oppose the

motion and affidavit, it is to submit a memorandum in opposition within fifteen days after receipt

of plaintiffs’ memorandum.

IX. Conclusion

Rather than finding Agent Phillips conduct and testimony supportive of a finding of the

existence of probable cause, this court finds Agent Phillips testimony, conduct and documentation

illustrate a deliberate patten of disregard for oaths taken, truth of the matter involved, wholly lacking

in intellectual honesty, and exhibiting a deliberate intent to mislead all involved, particularly the

prosecutors with whom he worked and who were relying upon his investigation and technical


141

expertise in order to evaluate their case. Agent Phillips has displayed the very worst example of

abuse and misuse of the power and trust bestowed upon a governmental agent, and has brought great

shame upon the agency which had entrusted him with that power, responsibility, and authority.

The AUSA relied upon Phillips to gather, analyze, and present the evidence fully and fairly

to him and to the grand jury - Agent Phillips did not. Agent Phillips had been the technical and

regulatory expert of the case before his promotion, thus, the AUSA relied upon Phillips to fairly

explain and guide the way through the complex, technical data and regulations - Agent Phillips did

not. In short, as the primary witness before the grand jury, Phillips painted a frightening picture of

Hubert Vidrine, as a hazardous waste polluter of the magnitude “of Love Canal,” someone who

associated with a “known environmental terrorist,” and someone who was inflicting the risk of

cancer upon his fellow citizens in his quest for cheap alternative feedstock - all allegations wholly

ungrounded in fact or law. While any witness can be expected to make a few errors regarding details,

Phillips’ testimony was replete with misrepresentations, falsehoods, omissions, hyperbole, and

inflammatory statements. Furthermore, the errors and omissions were not random in nature; they

consistently served to strengthen the criminal case against Vidrine which Phillips was constructing.

This Court finds probable cause did not exist to indict Hubert Vidrine, nor to doggedly pursue him

for close to four years. Further, this Court finds Keith Phillips acted with malice in his actions, for

the reasons noted.

This Court finds Keith Phillips, for his own purposes, set out with intent and reckless and

callous disregard for anyone’s rights other than his own, and reckless disregard for the processes and

power which had been bestowed him, to effectively destroy another man’s life - conduct which

cannot go unaddressed, or unrecognized. This Court is acutely aware punitive damages are not


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allowed in cases brought against the government, and, this Court has in no way awarded punitive

damages. However, given the egregious conduct displayed by an agent of the government and the

devastation wrought on otherwise law-abiding citizens, had punitive damages been allowable, this

Court would have awarded punitive damages in the hope of deterring such reckless and damaging

conduct and abuse of power in the future.

THUS DONE AND SIGNED this 30 day of September, 2011.th


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APPENDIX

• 1996: On an unknown date in 1996, FBI Agent Ekko Barnhill and EPA Technicaland Regulatory Expert Keith Phillips begin having a sexual affair

• 5-7-96: Search warrant executed at AFI; bills of lading seized showing shipments ofpetroleum distillates to Canal; Agent Vikin is the lead agent

• 9-1-96: Agent Vikin opens a “Case Opening Checklist” on Canal Refinery

• 9-4-96: Agent Vikin obtains a search warrant for Canal Refinery, on the basis he hasprobable cause to believe that Canal is accepting hazardous waste without a uniformhazardous waste manifest from Anti-Freeze Inc. and Tiger Shipyard

C 9-5-96: Search warrant executed upon Canal Refinery. Agent Vikin is the lead agent;Agent Keith Phillips is assigned as EPA Technical and Regulatory Expert

C Agent Phillips collects samples from Tank 402

C Samples are collected from an Antifreeze, Inc. tanker truck that arrives at Canal todeliver product to be deposited in Tank 402

C Agent Phillips participates in the interviews of Mr. Vidrine.

C The samples collected from Tank 402 were subsequently tested by thegovernment. The test results showed the samples exceeded the ToxicityCharacteristic Leachate Procedure (“TCLP”) limits for chloroform (D022),1,2-dichloroethane (D028), tetrachloroethene (D0039) and carbontetrachloride (DO19). However, the tests did not show that the samples“contained over a thousand parts per million of chlorinated solvents,”(sometimes referred to as “total halogens”)

C 10-10-96: Indictment issues against John Broussard and Antifreeze, Inc.

C 11-13-96: Correspondence evidencing disagreement between the EPA and LDEQ as towhether substance in Tank 402 is “used oil” or “hazardous waste.” Phillips drafts someletters on behalf of EPA; Phillips had “input on Barbara Greenfield’s letter.”

C Agents Phillips and Vikin testify that prior to the indictment against Vidrine, et al,the EPA had delegated the used oil program to LDEQ

• 12-12-96: Agent Vikin request “prosecutorial assistance” in the Canal investigation

Case 6:07-cv-01204-RFD-KK Document 287-1 Filed 09/30/11 Page 1 of 9 PageID #: 10070

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C August 1998: Agent Vikin transferred to N. Carolina. Agent Langlois takes over theinvestigation.

C 12-9-98: First interview of Mike Franklin. Franklin tells FBI he had obtained a lab reportshowing one compartment of the Kentucky barge at Trinity Marine contained over “1000ppm chlorinated solvents.”

C 12-10-98: Agent Phillips became a criminal investigator

C 1-4-99: Agent Phillips assigned as the “case agent in charge” for the criminalinvestigation into Mr. Vidrine, et al.

C Agent Phillips learns that Agents Langlois and Barnhill had interviewed MikeFranklin

C 1-6-99: Agent Phillips presents the case to the U.S. Attorney. The only evidence AgentPhillips has that Agent Vikin did not have is “Mike Franlin’s testimony.”

C Agent Phillips describes Franklin as “a very important witness,” and “the keywitness.” He responds “yes” when asked, “Isn’t it true that starting on January the4 , you set out to secure an indictment with the idea that Mike Franklin would beth

your key witness?” Agent Phillips answers “yes” when asked, “And specificallyisn’t it true that you thought that what Mike Franklin would bring to this case thatVikin never had was knowledge on behalf of Hubert Vidrine?” Agent Phillipsadmits Franklin exclusively used the term “1000 ppm.”

C 4-7-99: Target letter sent to Hubert Vidrine

C 5-4-99: Agent Phillips and Barnhill meet with AUSA Parker to discuss a potential pleaagreement with Canal’s parent corporation, Anchor Gasoline Corp. [PO36 at 1203]

C 5-20-99: Agent Phillips, Barnhill and AUSA Parker meet with Vidrine and defensecounsel (Jim McManus)

C 7-12-99 to 7-13-99: Agent Phillips and Barnhill conduct file review of the search warrantand Grand Jury documents

C 7-14-99: Agent Phillips, Chuck McConnell, Harold Langdon, and Virginia Bowen testifybefore the Grand Jury.

C 7-20-99: Subpoenas sent to PPL

C 8-11-99: Agent Phillips receives the documents subpoeaned from PPL (the lab to


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which Franklin claims to have sent the Trinity sample which allegedly showed over 1000ppm chlorinated solvents. [Def Ex. 48]

C 8-23-99 to 8-27-99: Agent Phillips and Barnhill assemble evidence notebooks inpreparation for presentation to the Grand Jury.

C 8-24-99: Agent Barnhill and Agent Phillips meet with AUSA Partker to discuss the case.Parker requests the federal grand jury documents “be reviewed for investigativepurposes.” [P018, p. 554]

C 9-6 to 9-8-99: Agent Phillips assists AUSA Parker with drafting the prosecution memofor indictment

C 9-14-99 to 9-15-99: “SA Phillips presented the case to the Grand Jury.” [P036, p.1217]Phillips testifies at the grand jury that he has Mike Franklin’s lab reports, and thereports “indicate that the material, at least, in part, was contaminated withchlorinated solvents.” [P033 at 148 (emphasis added)]

C 12-14-99: Agent Phillips testifies to Grand Jury that he obtained the test results ofthe samples Franklin took in the summer of 1996, and the tests came back positivefor chlorinated solvents. [P033, p.1021]

C 12-14-99: Indictment issues against Hubert Vidrine, Fred McKenzie and TrinityMarine

• 1-5-00: Criminal trial is scheduled for 3-8-00. (Trial is subsequently continued)

C 1-19 to 1-22-00: “SA Phillips began trial preparation and litigation strategy” [P036, p.1223 (Investigation Summary Report)]

C 1-24-00: Trial is continued and reset for 8-28-00. (Trial date is subsequently continued)

C 1-25-00: Agent Phillips drafts “a referral for prosecuting assistance,” and sends toThomas Kohl. [P034, p. 1126; P005] Phillips cannot explain why he did not ask forprosecutorial assistance until after Howard Parker had been assigned to the case and afterindictment was returned. [Draft and final in P005]

C 2-4-00: Agent Phillips meets with Guy Tidmore concerning the EPA’s response to themotion for Bill of Particulars

• 3-10-00: Government files Partial Bill of Particulars, reading in pertinent part:

“Between on or about approximately June 17 1996, and September 5 , 1996,th th


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defendants herein, Trinity Marine Baton Rouge, Inc. and Frederick E. McKenzie,did knowingly transport and cause the transportation of hazardous waste solventswithout a uniform hazardous waste manifest to an unpermitted facility anddefendant, Hubert Paul Vidrine, Jr., did knowingly store or caused to be storedhazardous waste at the Canal Refinery facility, Church Point, Louisiana, on thefollowing dates: 8/13/96; 8/14/96; 8/16/96; 8/16/96; 8/20/96; 8/23/96; 8/26/96;8/26/96; 8/29/96; 8/29/96; 8/30/96; 8/31/96; 9/3/96; 9/4/96.” [p024, at 666]

C 5-1 to 5-5-00: Per Investigation Summary Reports, on these dates, Agent Phillips did thefollowing: “Trial preparation; assisting AUSA Parker in the Governments [sic] responseto the defense motions to suppress evidence obtained in the criminal search warrant;excluding evidence of subsequent conduct; and the Government's response to the defensemotion to dismiss counts one, two and three on the grounds that the materials at issue arenot a solid waste.” [P036, at 1228]

C 6/9/00 to 9-6-00: Agent Phillips conducts trial prep, does interviews, assembles evidenceand notebooks, preps witnesses to testify before Grand Jury [P036 at 1229]

C 10-4-00: Trial is continued and reset for 1-16-01

C 11-27 to 11-30-00: Agent Phillips “assisted AUSA Parker with answer to a motion filedby Trinity Defense Attorneys to exclude TCLP results on all analytical data.” [P036 at1232 (US 2877)]

C 12-5-00: Agent Phillips travels to Houston to pick up Mike Franklin’s medical records.

C 12-6-00: Agent Phillips reviews Chuck McConnell’s Grand Jury transcript; “continued toprepare exhibits for trial.” [P036 at 1233]

C 12-7-00: Agent Phillips “conducted pretrial interview with AUSA Parker of Mr.McConnell.”

C 12-11-00: Response to motion to disclose TCLP results filed. Agent Phillips assistsParker “with the regulatory issues as well as technical issues of TCLP.” Responds “yes”when asked, “So at that point on December 11 2001, you were still on occasion acting toth

advise the AUSA who had this case as to these regs, what they meant, what theseprocedures were, how they operated, how they could or should or might be interpreted,things of that nature?” At times, both Agent Phillips and Guy Tidmore were consulted;sometimes only Agent Phillips was consulted.

C 12-17 to 12-20-00: Agent Phillips assists Parker in answering motion to dismissindictment on the grounds the government failed to provide fair notice that the conductcharged is a crime. (At the trial of this matter, Agent Phillips stated he did not recall


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whether the defendants in the criminal case had claimed they were being prosecuted for acrime that the EPA had never previously recognized as a crime.)

C 12-18-00: Agent Phillips receives order granting motion for in camera inspection of MikeFranklin’s medical records

C Agent Barnhill testifies the sexual affair between her and Agent Phillips endedsometime between January and February of 2001

C 1/2/01 to 1/5-01: Phillips assists in preparation of exhibits for trial, developing witnessorder of testimony, conducting pretrial interviews

C 1-8 to 1-12-01: Phillips “developing witness order of interviews with AUSA Parkerpreparing exhibits for trial, testimony and conducting pretrial of witnesses.”

C 1-10-01: Trial is continued without date

C 1-16 to 1-25-01: Phillips “continued to work on the exhibits and revisit documentsprevious time frame had not allowed for.”

C 2-26-01: AUSA Parker was requesting the agents “bring the 302s” to a meeting inLafayette

C 5-3-01: [P028] Parker sends letter to Phillips, saying he has talked at length with defensecounsel for Fred McKenzie. Parker continues: “We probably should talk in the next 30days about the used oil issue. I believe there is a number of a fellow out with NClC inColorado who has used a used oil expert who might be helpful to us. We need to compareand contrast his comments with what Sue Brauer has said. Perhaps we should paraphraseSue's and the defense's position and get his reaction to it.” (Sue Brauer is an EPA usedoil expert.) Parker concludes with: “The other thing we need to do is whip Ekko Barnhillback into shape when she gets here in the Western District. She has probably forgottenmore than we remember about this case. We need to cure that.”

C 7-18-01: Parker sends a letter to the “Home Team” (i.e. Phillips and Barnhill): “This willconfirm our review and trial prep in the above referenced matter for the 25 and 26 ofth th

July, 2001. I would suggest that we endeavor to accomplish the following during thatvisit: . . . 3. Discuss the used oil Sue Brauer issue. . . .”

C 8-2-01: Trial is rescheduled for 3-25-02 (the final trial setting).

C 11-16-01: Phillips attends a hearing with Parker to provide assistance to Parker; thehearing is about the government’s theory of the case. [P002, p.4]


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C 11-20-01: Parker sends letter to Phillips regarding motion hearing with court, further trialprep, witness summaries

• 11-20-01: Fax from Parker to Phillips, Tidmore and Barnhill:

“1. Problem - It is apparent that the Court thinks our case is weak on Vidrine. Weare in danger of a Rule 29 motion at the close of the government's case which willtake it away from jury. The Court could not understand Vidrine's motive forbuying tainted petroleum distillate.

2. Solution - We need to push the economic motive theory of our case. We mustshow that Trinity's petroleum distillate was a good deal lower in price then otheralternative feed stock. To do so, we must review our evidence and preparefoundation evidence and summary charts showing economic incentive. Also, wemust show that once Canal received the gumbo it was going to be hard to switchgears in mid-stream and find alternative sources of feedstock (perhaps we candevelop this with Toepfer, McConnell and Canal's new owner); (2) the expense todispose of tainted petroleum distillate; (3) Canal was financially in trouble, so itwas essential that they buy cheap.

B. Used Oil

1. Problem - When the sun sets, we will be dealing with used oil in our case, Iam afraid. It makes a difference to us but I don't think it is going to make muchof a difference to the jury.

C. Jury Instructions

1. Problem - The defense has put into our hands jury instructions. I have sharedthese with you. These are the same instructions they submitted January 2001.These defense instructions state that the mixture of hazardous waste andpetroleum distillate must be intentional and not passive or accidental.

2. Problem - The defense will fight deliberate ignorance instruction (head in thesand) alleging that the 5th Circuit Amadh decision and other cases suggest thatthere must be a more knowing, close to specific intent instruction.

D. Mike Franklin - The Court will allow an unrestrained free for allattack on this witness which will be terrible to see.

1. Problem - The Court ruled his statements as to his unsupported labanalysis as hearsay. This statement will only go before the jury with alimiting instruction. This instruction by inference will say you can't believe a


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word this man says.

2. Problem - Franklin's drug, medical, and psychiatric history - the Judge willprovide the defense with all cocaine addiction/psychiatric records. This willbe used to impeach him depending on what they say.

3. Problem - How do we keep Franklin in the coral and keep him from becominga hostile witness considering among other things these psychiatric records? Rightnow, he seems reluctant to see and talk with us. We need some kind of bondingwith him in the next ten days to soften the blow of having his psychiatric recordsexposed. (I am going to need your thoughts on how to handle Franklin in thenext seven days).

E. Andrew Hanson - This man is a star witness who, if not hostile, is reluctant andwho will testify in such a way as to soft peddle his role and by inference the roleof Trinity and McKenzie. Nonetheless, we need him to say: . . .

. . . .

G. Barbara Greenfield letter

1. Guy Tidmore will do a one-page work of art addressing and resolving theBarbara Greenfield letter - defense arguments as to that letter and the usedoil controversy the defense is so excited about.

. . .

K. December 14,2001 Jury Instruction Meeting in Lafayette - The Court willhave a pow wow on jury instructions which should be very painful, bloodletting. . . .” [P028, pp. 748-752]

C 1-23-02: At a hearing, Parker tells the criminal trial judge that the alleged Franklindiscussions with Vidrine and McKenzie are “important discussions,” and “if theseconversations do not come in . . . I would say that the Government cannot go forwardwith its case.” [P003, p.054] At the trial of this matter, Agent Phillips testified in hisopinion, Parker was wrong. When asked how they could have convicted Vidrine withoutFranklin’s testimony, Agent Phillips responds, “I believed that Andrew Hanson, anemployee with Trinity Marine, could provide 75% of Mr. Franklin’s testimony.” AgentPhillips concedes nothing Hanson said imparted any knowledge to Hubert Vidrine.

C 1-23-02: Criminal court grants defense motion to reconsider it’s former ruling allowingFranklin’s hearsay testimony, and excludes Franklin’s testimony as hearsay, testifying


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about lab results would require expert testimony (which Franklin is not) and wouldbe a violation of the Confrontation clause.

C 2-11-02: Priv log - Parker sends AUSA Josette Cassiere memo regarding an appeal of ruling prohibiting Franklin from testifying.

C 2-26-02: Correspondence to Agent Phillips and Barnhill from Parker, stating J. Melanconordered a hearing on Friday morning. Parker tells Agent Phillips, “It is imperative thatyou be in my office no later than 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 28 . You may also beth

called upon to testify. . . .” [P02, p.756]

C 3-1-02: TLM denies motion for reconsideration, filed by USA, to allow Franklin hearsaytestimony. Agent Phillips attends hearing with Parker [Crim. Docket, no. 146]

C 3-21-02: The 3-25-02 trial setting is continued without date, in light of the government’s“Notice of Appeal indicating the government has appealed the Court’s ruling on themotion in limine to exlude certain evidence and testimony of a witness in this action.”

C 7-23-02: Letter from Parker to Phillips and Barnhill, summarizing the hearing regardingFranklin, and noting:

“The Court also gave us a gratuitous shot. The Judge found Franklin's medical recordsvery problematic for the government’s case and was troubled by them. He noted that therecord showed hard use of cocaine for 14 years. . . .In the face of the Court's ruling, I willcall you and Kathleen Kohl Monday to discuss your input as to the merits of the casewithout the benefit of Mike Franklin and what our remaining options are. I would suggestthat Kathleen run the flag up on these issues because I regard the Judge's ruling as amortal wound.”

• 8-21-03: The government has Franklin hypnotized, as a “last stab” effort at locating hisreports. Agent Phillips admits the information he provides while hypnotized issubstantially different than the original Franklin story (e.g. the number of samples fromTrinity he had tested, which labs he had used). Phillips attends hypnosis session withFranklin.

C 9-17-03: Government files a motion to dismiss Indictment against Vidrine, McKenzieand Trinity

C 9-18-03: Motion to dismiss Indictment is granted

C 1-12-04: Agent Phillips prepares Investigative Summary Report - it is the first report tohis supervisors since August August 23, 2001. His report notes that J. Melancongranted defendants’ motions to exclude any and all testimony of Mike Franklin at the


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criminal trial, and “A review of case files for any privileged information, Grand Jury,informant identification, confidentiality requests, etc., has been made and all sensitivedocuments have been purged. Therefore the samples currently stored in the U.S. EPAlaboratory/Houston, Texas, will not be destroyed at this time. Evidence that would causethe Court to reverse its ruling on Mike Franklin’s testimony the case will be reindictedtherefore samples currently stored in the U.S. EPA laboratory Texas will not bedestroyed. All evidence and Grand Jury material has been disposed of in accordance withChapter 7 of the agent’s manual.” At the trial of this matter, Agent Phillips testified thelast sentence was erroneous, in that he had begun the process of purging evidence, butstopped when he learned that the case could be reindicted if Franklin’s testimony weresubsequently allowed, or if additional evidence were found supporting the prosecution ofthe case. The testimony at trial indicated he stopped his disposal of evidence afterlearning that the criminal investigation was under investigation by main justice, due to thepending lawsuit having been filed by Mr. Vidrine.

C 7-23-07: Civil lawsuit filed by Hubert and Tammy Vidrine for malicious prosecution


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